Snail Kite

Overview

The snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) is a bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. It is the sole member of the genus Rostrhamus and is noted for its specialised diet of apple snails. Although locally endangered in the Florida Everglades, the species is listed as Least Concern globally due to its extensive range across the Americas.

Identification

• Size: 36 to 48 cm long with a wingspan of 99–120 cm.
• Plumage: Adult males have dark blue-grey plumage, while females are dark brown on upperparts with heavily streaked pale underparts.
• Bill and Legs: Features a dark, deeply hooked beak; legs and cere are red in males and yellow or orange in females.
• Markings: White rump and undertail coverts; adult females have a whitish face with darker areas behind and above the eye.

Habitat

Breeds in tropical South America, the Caribbean, and central and southern Florida. It is a gregarious bird of freshwater wetlands that forms large winter roosts. Resident year-round in most of its range, though the southernmost populations migrate north in winter and Caribbean birds disperse widely outside the breeding season.

Diet

Feeds almost exclusively on apple snails, particularly Pomacea and Marisa species. Forages by flying slowly with its head facing downwards to locate prey. Will occasionally consume other freshwater snails, crayfish, crabs, small turtles, and rodents when apple snails are scarce.

Did you know?

The population in Florida evolved 12% larger bodies and beaks to accommodate the introduction of invasive Pomacea maculata snails, which are five times bigger than native species. This rapid adaptation has had a positive effect on the kites' populations.