White-tailed Kite

The White-tailed Kite is an elanid kite found in western North America and parts of South America.

The White-tailed Kite is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) is an elanid kite found in western North America and parts of South America. Their coloration is gull-like, but their shape and flight falcon-like, with a rounded tail. Mainly white underneath, they have black wingtips and shoulders. For some recent decades, it united with the Black-winged Kite of Europe and Africa in Elanus caeruleus, and collectively called "Black-shouldered Kite". More

White-tailed Kite is readily identified by its bright plumage and its habit of hovering while hunting for small mammals. More

Ornithologists' Union, so the White-tailed Kite has its original name back. Meanwhile, the Old World E. caeruleus is again called Black-winged Kite, while the name Black-shouldered Kite is now reserved for an Australian species, Elanus axillaris, which had also been lumped into E. caeruleus but now regarded as separate again. The White-tailed Kite was rendered almost extinct in California in the 1930s and 1940s by shooting and egg-collecting, but they are now common again. More

At the turn of this century, the white-tailed kite may have been widespread throughout the lowlands of California, but during the early 1900s, the population severely declined and its range was reduced to western California, from the Sacramento Valley to San Diego (May 1935). Causes of this decline were likely habitat loss, shooting, and possible egg collecting (Pickwell 1930, Waian and Stendell 1970). During the 1930s, extinction was predicted for this species in California (Pickwell 1930). More

The White-tailed Kite is a black and white kite found in western North America and South America. This species was almost extinct in California in the 1930s and 1940s, but is now common. Distribution is very patchy, and the White-tailed Kite is found in the Central Valley, southern coastal areas, the San Francisco Bay, southern Texas, the Baja California peninsula, and eastern Mexico. Diets consist mainly of rodents and sometimes small birds. More

North American RangeThe White-tailed Kite was formerly known as the Black-shouldered Kite, until the species was split, with the North American birds taking the new moniker. The White-tailed Kite is a distinctive bird, especially when hovering over open fields. The kite's upperparts are mostly gray, with bold black shoulders. Its tail is white above and below, with a small stripe of light gray down the center of the upper side of the tail. More

Bent Life History for the White-tailed Kite - the common name and sub-species reflect the nomenclature in use at the time the description was written. now WHITE-TAILED KITE NORTH AMERICAN WHITE-TAILED KITE ELANUS LEUCURUS MAJUSCULUS Bangs and Penard HABITS The above name was applied to the North American bird by Bangs and Penard (1920) to distinguish it from the smaller South American race, to which the name leucurits was originally applied. More

The White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) is an elanid kite found in western North America and parts of South America. Outside the breeding season they roost communally in groups of up to 100. It was formerly known as the Black-shouldered Kite. The earliest name for this bird was the White-tailed Kite, and it was given the systematic name Elanus leucurus. More

The tame, elegant White-tailed Kite was formerly shot in large numbers by farmers who thought it threatened their chickens, although the birds feed almost entirely on insects and a few small rodents. The North American population was reduced to a pitiful remnant, and it was feared that the species might become extinct here. White-tailed Kites have since made a spectacular comeback in California and Texas and are now common in suitable lowland habitats. More

Not often confused with other raptors, the White-tailed kite can be identified in the field fairly easily. Small to medium in size, kites have long white tails with relatively long, thin and pointed wings. Wing and tail shape help them maintain a hovering position in the air. Adults are white underneath and gray on the back. Sexes are similar in size but the female may be darker on the back. While in flight a characteristic black spot can be seen at the bend of the underside of the wing. More

jpgA White-Tailed Kite in Daviskite1.jpgA White-tailed Kite from the Central Coast. The White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) was almost made extinct in the 1930s and 40s due to egg collection and shooting. They can be found in many Western States south to Central and South America. In California, the kite is especially common in the Central Valley, Central Coast and the Bay Area. More

The White-tailed Kite was drove to the brink of extinction in the 1930s and 1940s by shooting from ignorant farmers and hunters, and egg-collecting, but the population is now growing again in California. The farmers shot these birds thinking that they were a threat to their chickens while they are actualy useful as they get rid of a big quantity of rodents like small mice which carry the Lime disease. More

of the White-tailed Kite observation form can be obtained by clicking here. White-tailed Kites (Elanus leucurys) in Orange County Not that very long ago, White-tailed Kites were considered a common species in Orange County. In fact, in the 1970’s, communal roosts of over 100 individuals were regularly seen in the San Joaquin Marsh. Well into the 90’s, roosts of 75 or more kites were found in places like the Arroyo Trabuco in southern Orange County. More

(Accipitridae) White-tailed Kite Head Illustration Head * Bill Shape: Hooked * Eye Color: Brown in juveniles and red in adults. Color changes at about 6 months. More

* White-Tailed Kite and other Birds of PV.2:09 * Ajouter à la file d'attente Ajoutée à la file d'attente White-Tailed Kite and other Birds of PV.2354 vueshugerhino * Gyr Falcon vs. Ptarmigan3:11 * Ajouter à la file d'attente Ajoutée à la file d'attente Gyr Falcon vs. More

White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurusOnce considered endangered in North America, the White-tailed Kite has greatly expanded in numbers and range since the 1930s. They are heavily dependent upon large populations of small rodents such as mice and voles, and probably have benefited greatly from the introduction of the House Mouse to North America. Previously known as the Black-shouldered Kite. Habitat: Prefers open habitats with perches for hunting, and with suitable nesting sites. This includes marshes and wetlands, farmland, grassland, and prairie. More

* White-Tailed Kite and other Birds of PV.2:09 * Ajouter à la file d'attente Ajoutée à la file d'attente White-Tailed Kite and other Birds of PV. More

a gull, the white-tailed kite can glide for remarkably long distances and soar to very impressive heights. White-tailed kites have orange eyes, a black bill, light gray upper-parts, white under-parts, yellow feet, and a long white tail. They are monogamous and build nests close to other pairs. The male hunts for the family and fights off crows, hawks, and other competitors. When the male returns to the nest with the food, both parents will feed the chicks. More

The White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) is an elanid kite found in western North America and parts of South America. It was formerly known as the Black-shouldered Kite. The earliest name for this bird was the White-tailed Kite, and it was given the systematic name Elanus leucurus. However, it was argued that it was a subspecies of a European and African species, Elanus caeruleus, at the time known as the Black-shouldered Kite (see, for example, Parkes, 1958), and the recognised name was changed. More