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.
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Recent Swallow-tailed Kite sightings near you
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