Rufous-thighed Kite
NameRufous-thighed Kite
Common NameRufous-thighed Kite
Scientific NameHarpagus diodon
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)55
Length (cm)32
Weight (g)200
Plumage DetailsAdults have slate-grey upperparts and head, with paler grey underparts. The most distinctive feature is the rufous (reddish-brown) plumage on the thighs. The tail is dark with a broad pale band, and the cere and legs are bright yellow.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations include a high-pitched, whistled 'whee-whee-whee' or 'kew-kew-kew' series, often given in flight or from a perch.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in South America, primarily across the Amazon basin and parts of the Atlantic Forest, including Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas.
Identifying FeaturesRufous thighs, Slate-grey plumage, Yellow cere and legs, Small size for a raptor, Double-toothed bill (though often hard to see)
Description
The Rufous-thighed Kite is a small, agile raptor characterized by its slate-grey plumage and distinctive rufous thighs. It typically perches upright in trees, often in forest clearings or edges, where it hunts for insects and small vertebrates.
