The bird spends much of the day in flight catching insects and other foods, including anoles, treefrogs, small snakes and nestling birds. Linnaeus in 1758 named the swallow-tailed kite, in 1999 they were renamed the American swallow-tailed kite. Swallow-tailed Kite: Elanoides forficatus The Waccamaw Refuge and surrounding area support the highest density of nesting swallow-tailed kites in South Carolina and is the northernmost nesting site for the species. Less than 200 breeding pairs now continue the migration to Allendale's Central Savannah River area and to Waccamaw River sites in South Carolina. Today only seven states along the Gulf and Atlantic have nesting sites. The moss is used to line the nest in preparation for the laying of one or two eggs.Įarlier days in the US, swallow-tailed kites nested in sixteen states on the east coast and along the Mississippi River north to Minnesota. Medium sized branches and smaller twigs are laid in place before, kite watchers get to see the birds flying with Spanish moss clutched in their feet. ![]() The mating pairs build a nest in the upper branches of a chosen treetop. ![]() Cypress, water tupelo, sweet gums and willow oaks may be used as well. Kites are most likely to choose a tree where other STK's are nesting nearby. In March these kites search also for just the right nesting tree, tall loblolly pines are preferred. The marvelous birds spend most of every day on the wing, seldom flapping but constantly searching for food. Those of us studying the birds find it easy to imagine some mature individual, on a morning, cocking a head and softly lifting off to travel over 10,000 miles from southern Brazil to seek out just the right place in South Carolina to breed, nest and raise their young.Įarly sightings are of a solitary kite, rising on four- foot wings, soaring to find small reptiles, mammals or nesting birds. ![]() Those fortunate enough to see more than a glimpse notice also a white head with a dark, small sharply hooked bill and black feathers on wings and tail. Birds with long forked tails, slim two-foot bodies, and long pointed wings appear, floating above the trees in swampy areas. Each year, some time in March, a wonderful event plays out in South Carolina.
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