Swallow-tailed KiteElanoides forficatusWhere and when to see them

The swallow-tailed kite is an exceptionally graceful raptor, with a white head and body, black wings and a long, deeply forked tail. Florida supports an important part of its United States breeding population. Birds spend much of the day airborne, searching over forests, wetlands and open edges. Despite their conspicuous silhouette, they depend on suitable nesting trees and extensive feeding landscapes, making protection of connected wetland and woodland mosaics important.

Size

50–65 cm long; 1.1–1.4 m wingspan

Weight

370–600 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

These kites steer with frequent twists of the forked tail, often gliding with little visible effort. They take insects in flight and pluck small animals from foliage without landing. Pairs nest high in trees, while nonbreeding birds may gather at communal roosts. Before migration, large feeding and roosting aggregations can form. Florida breeders migrate south toward South America, leaving the state largely without the species during the northern winter months. They are highly graceful flyers, often seen soaring effortlessly on thermals, sometimes in groups. These kites are known for their social foraging, often hunting cooperatively in open fields before settling into communal roosts for the night.

• The tail acts as a highly maneuverable rudder during flight.
• Adults frequently eat insect prey without landing.
• Florida birds undertake long migrations to South America.
• Premigratory gatherings can include hundreds of individuals.

March through August is the main Florida observation period, spanning arrival, nesting and premigratory gatherings. Some birds arrive earlier or leave later. Late summer concentrations can be impressive, but locations change and sensitive communal roosts should not be approached or publicized. Early migrants can sometimes be seen in late February in southern Florida, indicating the start of their return journey. Peak nesting activity occurs from April to June, followed by the fledging of young by mid-summer.

In Florida, suitable habitat combines tall nesting trees with wooded wetlands, river corridors, pine stands and nearby feeding openings. Coastal lowlands can support birds where these features coincide. Treeless beaches and densely developed waterfronts are much less useful than adjacent forested landscapes. They show a strong preference for old-growth forests with tall emergent trees, often near water bodies like cypress swamps or floodplains. The presence of open foraging areas adjacent to dense woodlands is also crucial for successful breeding and feeding.

Large insects are frequent prey, especially when adults feed themselves. Frogs, lizards, small snakes, nestling birds and other small vertebrates are also taken, particularly for growing chicks. Food is often seized from foliage, and insects may be eaten while the kite remains airborne. Aerial insects like dragonflies, cicadas, and grasshoppers are particularly important during their breeding season. They are highly agile hunters, often plucking prey with their talons while performing intricate aerial maneuvers.

Common name

Swallow-tailed Kite

Scientific name

Elanoides forficatus

Animal group

Birds

Size

50–65 cm long; 1.1–1.4 m wingspan

Weight

370–600 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Its very long forked tail and white head distinguish it from the shorter-tailed, gray-headed Mississippi kite. Their brilliant white underparts contrast sharply with their iridescent black back and wings, making them conspicuous against the sky. The deeply forked tail, a key feature, is longer and more pointed than any other raptor found in Florida.