![]() ![]() Very old females may lack the eyebrows and be a darker brown with fewer pale feathers. They tend to have distinctive white facial markings, including well-defined “eyebrows” made up of white feathers. Adult female snail kites are are brown, with varying patterns of white on their faces, throats, chests and underwings. Adult birds are as large as 17" high, with a 42" wingspan.Īs shown in the photo strip below, this species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism. The snail kite's tail (whether male or female, adult or juvenile) is square, with a white base and black outer rim. They have bright orange legs and feet and sharply curved, narrow black beaks topped with orange ceres (nostril areas). Male snail kites are a striking blue-grey with scarlet eyes. Snail kites are among the most beautiful of American raptors. ![]() In recent years, however, everglades snail kite populations have been hit hard by dought and an especially destructive 2017 hurricane season. As recently as 2009, snail kites' populations dipped to as few as 700-800 birds.Īs noted below, snail kite populations have increased with the advent of an invasive apple snail, now common in Florida's wetlands. Snail kites' highly specialized diet has rendered them vulnerable to habitat loss, and their numbers within Florida are severely limited. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that people stay at least 500 feet from any active snail kite nests. The federal Endangered Species Act prohibits, inter alia, the birds' killing, harassment, capture or sale. The U.S. Snail kites are currently endangered and are protected by both federal and Florida law. The birds' diet consists almost exclusively of a freshwater mollusk known as the apple snail. Within the United States, snail kites are found only in Florida. Snail kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) are striking raptors that live in sawgrass marshes and similar habitats.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |