The Swallow-tailed Kite is one of the most graceful birds in North America, with a striking black-and-white plumage, deeply forked tail, and effortless, acrobatic flight. It eats, drinks, and bathes entirely on the wing, snatching prey from treetops and swooping to the water surface. It was once widespread across the eastern US but is now restricted to Florida and the coastal Southeast.
Best time to see a Swallow-tailed Kite
The best time to see a Swallow-tailed Kite is March–May, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 9,265 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Swallow-tailed Kite? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Swallow-tailed Kite sightings near you
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