Pearl Kite
Gampsonyx swansonii
Gavilancito Perlado
Song
Pearl Kite
The Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) Read in Spanish
Appearance: The Pearl Kite is a small bird of prey with distinctive black and white plumage. It has a mainly white head, neck, and underparts, with black streaks on the crown and upperparts. The wings are black with white markings, and the tail is black with white bands. They have bright yellow legs and eyes.
Habitat: Pearl Kites are commonly found in open savannas, grasslands, pastures, and agricultural areas with scattered trees. They are known to adapt well to human-modified landscapes and can be seen near roadsides and farmlands.
Behavior: These kites are often observed perched on exposed branches or utility wires, scanning the ground for prey. They have a distinctive hunting behavior of hovering briefly before swooping down to catch insects, small reptiles, and rodents. Pearl Kites are primarily solitary or found in pairs.
Breeding: Pearl Kites typically build small stick nests in trees or bushes, often using old crow or raptor nests as a foundation. The female lays 2-4 eggs, and both parents take part in incubating the eggs and raising the young. They are known to maintain small territories during the breeding season.
Conservation Status: The Pearl Kite is considered a species of least concern in terms of conservation status.
Distribution
The Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) The Pearl Kite can be observed:
Llanos Orientales: The Pearl Kite is commonly found in the vast plains of the Llanos Orientales region, which includes departments such as Meta, Casanare, and Arauca. These open grasslands and savannas provide ideal hunting grounds for the Pearl Kite, which preys on small rodents, insects, and reptiles.
Magdalena Valley: The Pearl Kite is also present in parts of the Magdalena River valley, including departments like Huila, Tolima, and Cundinamarca. The diverse habitats in this region, ranging from wetlands to agricultural areas, support populations of Pearl Kites that feed on a variety of prey species.
Pacific Coast: Certain areas along the Pacific coast, including Chocó and Valle del Cauca, provide suitable habitat for the Pearl Kite. The coastal mangroves, estuaries, and forested areas along the Pacific coast offer a rich diversity of prey resources for these small raptors.
Orinoco Basin: The Pearl Kite can be spotted in the Orinoco River basin and surrounding regions, such as Vichada and Casanare. The wetlands, rivers, and gallery forests in the Orinoco Basin serve as important habitats for the Pearl Kite to forage and breed.
Amazon Basin: Parts of the Amazon rainforest in southern Colombia, particularly in departments like Amazonas and Putumayo, also support populations of Pearl Kites. The dense tropical forests and river systems in the Amazon Basin provide additional foraging opportunities for these birds.
Taxonomy
The Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swansonii)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
- Genus: Gampsonyx
- Species: Gampsonyx swansonii
Vocalization
The Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii)
- Chirping Calls: Pearl Kites are known to produce high-pitched, chirping calls that are typically short and simple. These chirps may serve as contact calls between mates or family members, or during territorial interactions with conspecifics.
- Chittering Calls: Pearl Kites may also emit rapid chittering sounds, which can be a form of communication during courtship displays or interactions within their social group. These calls are often brief and repetitive.
- Silent Behavior: Similar to the Swallow-tailed Kite, the Pearl Kite is generally less vocal compared to other raptors. They are often silent during flight and may rely more on visual cues and physical displays for communication.
- Alarm Calls: Pearl Kites may produce louder and more urgent calls when alarmed or threatened. These alarm calls can serve as a warning to other kites in the area or as a means of signaling potential danger.
