Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
Aguila Tijereta
Song
Swallow-tailed Kite
The Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) Read in Spanish
Appearance: Swallow-tailed Kites are elegant, medium-sized raptors with distinctive features. They have long, pointed wings and a deeply forked tail that gives them a graceful appearance in flight. They are predominantly black and white, with a white head, breast, and belly, contrasting with the black plumage on their wings and back.
Habitat: Swallow-tailed Kites are typically found in a variety of forested habitats, including tropical rainforests, savannas, wetlands, and wooded areas near water bodies. They are known for their aerial acrobatics and can be seen soaring high in the sky as they hunt for flying insects.
Behavior: Swallow-tailed Kites are highly skilled aerial hunters, primarily feeding on insects, especially flying insects like dragonflies, wasps, and grasshoppers. They are known for their distinctive feeding behavior, where they catch prey in mid-air with precision and agility. These birds are also migratory, traveling long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds.
Breeding: Swallow-tailed Kites form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. They build large, sturdy nests in tall trees using sticks, twigs, and other plant materials. The female typically lays 2-4 eggs, and both parents share the responsibilities of incubating the eggs and raising the young.
Conservation Status: The Swallow-tailed Kite is considered to be of "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List.
Distribution
The Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) The Swallow-tailed Kite can be observed:
Magdalena Valley: The Swallow-tailed Kite is commonly found in the Magdalena River valley and its surrounding areas, including departments such as Huila, Tolima, Cundinamarca, and Boyacá. The extensive forests, riverine habitats, and wetlands in this region provide ideal foraging grounds for the Swallow-tailed Kite.
Orinoco Basin: The Swallow-tailed Kite can also be spotted in the Orinoco River basin and nearby regions, including departments like Casanare, Arauca, Meta, and Vichada. The vast floodplains, savannas, and forests of the Orinoco region offer suitable nesting sites and hunting opportunities for this species.
Amazon Basin: Parts of the Amazon rainforest in southern Colombia, particularly in the departments of Amazonas, Caquetá, and Putumayo, host populations of Swallow-tailed Kites. The dense tropical forests and river systems in the Amazon Basin provide a rich habitat for these birds to thrive.
Pacific Coast: Certain areas along the Pacific coast, including Chocó and Valle del Cauca, also support populations of Swallow-tailed Kites. The mangroves, estuaries, and coastal forests along the Pacific coast provide feeding grounds and nesting sites for these elegant raptors.
Taxonomy
The Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
- Genus: Elanoides
- Species: Elanoides forficatus
Vocalization
The Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
- Whistling Calls: Swallow-tailed Kites are known to produce high-pitched, plaintive, and melodious whistling calls. These calls are often heard during territorial displays, courtship rituals, or interactions with their mates and offspring. The whistles are typically soft and mellow, adding to the peaceful and elegant presence of these birds.
- Chattering Calls: Swallow-tailed Kites may also emit rapid chattering sounds, especially during social interactions or when defending their territory. These chattering calls can vary in intensity and pitch and are used to communicate with other kites in the vicinity.
- Silent Behavior: Despite having the ability to vocalize, Swallow-tailed Kites are known for their silent flight. Their graceful soaring and gliding through the air are accompanied by relatively little vocalization, as they primarily rely on visual cues and physical displays for communication.
- Contact Calls: Swallow-tailed Kites may use soft contact calls to communicate with their mates or young birds within their family group. These calls help maintain cohesion and coordination within the social unit.
