The Swallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus) is a raptor of warmer climates that breeds in the Americas. The Swallow-tailed kite was first described as the "swallow-tail hawk" and "accipiter cauda furcata" (forked-tail hawk) by the English naturalist Mark Catesby in 1731.
The body of the Swallow-tailed kite is a contrasting deep black and white. The upper side of the wings is black along with the tail, feet, and bill. The underside of the wings is partly black and partly white. Young birds are duller in color than the adults, and the tail is not as deeply forked.
Swallow-tailed kites breed from the southeastern United States to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. They are considered migratory raptors and during the spring months often move from areas in Central and South America to breed. Swallow-tailed kites are largely associated with wetland forests that provide the birds with nesting habits. They can be found in rainforests, mountain cloud forests, mangroves, and tropical dry forests.
Swallow-tailed kites are active during the day and spend most of their time on the wing. These birds are considered one of the most graceful fliers seen in America and often spend the majority of their lives scouring high treetops for lizards, small mammals, and insects. Swallow-tailed kites are social birds; they may forage in groups and often roost communally, especially before migration. They may also nest in loose colonies. These birds mostly remain silent but sometimes may emit a high-pitched chirp. When alarmed, however, Swallow-tailed kites become very vocal.
Swallow-tailed kites are carnivores and feed on small reptiles, such as snakes and lizards. They may also feed on small amphibians such as frogs; large insects, such as grasshoppers, and crickets; small birds and eggs; and small mammals including bats.
Swallow-tailed kites form monogamous pairs, however, the birds are thought to spend some time apart and meet up during migrations to nesting locations. These nesting locations are often found in the highest trees in wetland areas. On occasion, pairs will return to the same nesting locations of the previous years and refurbish old nests. Generally, nests take about four days to complete. The breeding season occurs from March to May, with the female laying 2 to 4 eggs. Incubation lasts 28 days and mainly the female is responsible for this process. The chicks are altricial; they hatch helpless, with eyes closed and covered in down. They fledge at 36-42 days of age and become independent 2 weeks later.
The main threat to Swallow-tailed kites is habitat loss due to deforestation and habitat degradation. Shooting, egg collection, and disturbances are other serious factors that influence the population decline of this species.
According to the All About Birds resource the total breeding population size of the Swallow-tailed kite is 150,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are increasing.