Snail Kite
NameSnail Kite
Common NameSnail Kite
Scientific NameRostrhamus sociabilis
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)115
Length (cm)44
Weight (g)435
Plumage DetailsAdult males are uniformly dark slate-gray with bright red eyes, an orange cere, and orange legs. Females and immature birds are browner overall, with streaked underparts, a dark cap, and yellowish eyes.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a series of raspy, guttural 'kra-kra-kra' calls, often given in flight or when disturbed. They also produce softer 'kaws' or 'gaks'.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatswetlands, marshes, swamps, lakes
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the southeastern United States (primarily Florida), Cuba, parts of Central America, and widely distributed across South America, particularly in tropical and subtropical lowlands.
Identifying Featureshighly specialized, slender, deeply hooked bill, dark slate-gray plumage (adult male), bright red eyes (adult male), long, orange legs, slow, buoyant flight over water, specialized diet of apple snails
Description
The Snail Kite is a medium-sized raptor known for its highly specialized diet of apple snails. Adult males are dark slate-gray with striking red eyes, while females and immatures are browner and streaked. They are often seen slowly flying over wetlands or perched, extracting snails with their unique hooked bill.
