Snail Kite
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NameSnail Kite
Common NameSnail Kite
Scientific NameRostrhamus sociabilis
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)115
Length (cm)44.5
Weight (g)500
Plumage DetailsAdult males are uniformly dark slate-gray to black, with striking bright red eyes, cere, and legs. The tail has a white base, visible when spread. Females and juveniles are browner with streaked underparts and less vibrant red soft parts.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations typically consist of a series of harsh, guttural croaks or caws, often described as 'krah-krah-krah' or 'ga-ga-ga'.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatswetlands, marshes, swamps, flooded grasslands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the southeastern United States (Florida), Cuba, parts of Central America, and widely distributed across South America, particularly in the Amazon and Pantanal regions.
Identifying FeaturesDeeply curved, slender bill, Dark slate-gray plumage (adult male), Bright red eyes, cere, and legs (adult male), Specialized diet of snails, Slow, buoyant flight over water
Description
This medium-sized raptor is highly specialized, primarily feeding on apple snails. It possesses a distinctive deeply curved bill perfectly adapted for extracting its prey, and is often observed perching conspicuously over freshwater wetlands.
