Swallow-Tailed Kite

bird of prey · acrobatic flyer · Americas

Signature forked tail. The swallow-tailed kite's deeply split tail works like rudders on an airplane, helping it make incredibly sharp turns and quick maneuvers while hunting. This tail is so special that it's almost the only way to identify this bird from far away.

Travels between continents. Swallow-tailed kites that live in North America fly all the way down to South America for winter, following the season. They're one of the only raptors that regularly make this long migration twice a year.

Expert insect hunters. These kites snatch insects right out of the air while flying, sometimes catching grasshoppers, cicadas, and dragonflies without even slowing down. They also grab small lizards and snakes from trees by swooping down at incredible speeds.

One of a kind genus. The swallow-tailed kite is the only bird in its entire genus, called Elanoides, which makes it extra special in the bird world. This means there's no other bird quite like it.

Daytime hunters. Unlike many birds of prey that hunt at dusk or dawn, swallow-tailed kites hunt during the bright middle of the day when insects are most active. They ride warm air currents high above the forest to spot their next meal.