Snail Kite
Image: ben_tk (cc-by-nc)
NameSnail Kite
Common NameSnail Kite
Scientific NameRostrhamus sociabilis
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)109.5
Length (cm)45.5
Weight (g)465
Plumage DetailsAdult males are uniformly slate-gray with blackish flight feathers and a white base to the tail, featuring bright red eyes, cere, and legs. Females and immatures are dark brown above, heavily streaked with buff or white below, and have yellow eyes, cere, and legs.
Vocalization / CallGenerally a quiet bird, but can produce harsh, croaking calls or a high-pitched 'kree-aah' when alarmed, disturbed, or around the nest.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsfreshwater marshes, swamps, wetlands, shallow lakes
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the southeastern United States (primarily Florida), Cuba, and widely distributed across Central and South America, from Mexico south to Argentina.
Identifying FeaturesDeeply hooked, slender bill specialized for extracting snails, Diet almost exclusively apple snails, Sexual dimorphism in plumage (slate-gray male, brown streaked female/immature), Red eyes, cere, and legs in adult males; yellow in females and immatures, White base to the tail, often visible in flight, Prefers freshwater wetland habitats
Description
The Snail Kite is a medium-sized raptor known for its highly specialized diet and distinctive deeply hooked bill. It primarily inhabits freshwater wetlands, where it can be seen perching conspicuously or soaring low over the water in search of its prey. Males are slate-gray, while females and immatures are brown and streaked.
