Snail Kite

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) Read in Spanish

Appearance: The Snail Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey. It has a slender, curved bill adapted for feeding on snails. Adults have a mostly dark plumage with a white tail, chest, and face patch. Juveniles are more mottled brown. They have a wingspan of about 105-120 cm (41-47 inches) and a length of 35-41 cm (14-16 inches).

Habitat: Snail Kites are primarily found in freshwater marshes, swamps, and wetlands with abundant aquatic vegetation. They are often associated with areas containing Apple Snails, their primary food source. In Colombia, Snail Kites can be found in regions with suitable wetland habitats, such as the Amazon Basin, the Llanos, and other wetland ecosystems.

Behavior: Snail Kites are known for their specialized feeding behavior, where they hunt for and extract Apple Snails from their shells using their uniquely adapted bill. They are often observed flying low over marshes or perching on vegetation near the water's edge. Snail Kites may also feed on other aquatic invertebrates and occasionally small vertebrates.

Breeding: Breeding pairs of Snail Kites build stick nests in trees, shrubs, or emergent vegetation near water. They lay 2-4 eggs per clutch, with an incubation period of around 25-30 days. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs and raising the young, which fledge after about 6 weeks.

Conservation Status: The Snail Kite is listed as Vulnerable, mainly due to habitat destruction and the impact of pollution on wetland ecosystems.