The Swallow-tailed Kite is a graceful and acrobatic raptor that is found primarily in the southeastern United States. This medium-sized bird of prey gets its name from its deeply forked tail, which gives it excellent maneuverability in flight. Swallow-tailed Kites have a very specialized habitat and range, being found mainly in areas near rivers and wetlands across the Southeast. Understanding where these birds are found can help conservation efforts and give birdwatchers an idea of the best places to look for them.
Swallow-tailed Kite Range and Distribution
The Swallow-tailed Kite has a relatively limited range concentrated in the southeastern United States. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the breeding range of these birds includes the following states:
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Florida
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
There are small breeding populations and occasional sightings in other nearby states as well, but most Swallow-tailed Kites spend the summer nesting and breeding in the Southeast. After the breeding season is over, Swallow-tailed Kites migrate in flocks to wintering grounds in South America. Their winter range includes areas in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
Breeding Habitat Preferences
Within their breeding range in the United States, Swallow-tailed Kites occupy a very specialized type of habitat. They are most often found in areas near rivers and wetlands, especially bottomland forests and swamps. Typical breeding habitats include:
- Forested wetlands
- Cypress swamps
- River bottoms
- Wooded areas along marshes, lakes, and ponds
- Pine flatwoods
Swallow-tailed Kites frequently nest near water sources like rivers, swamps, marshes, and lakes. They mostly avoid drier upland areas. Nests are built high up in tall trees, including cypress, tupelo, oak, pine, and occasionally willow trees. The specific tree species used varies across the kite’s range.
Key Locations in the United States
Some key areas and protected lands where Swallow-tailed Kites can be found breeding in the United States include:
- Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (Georgia, Florida)
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (Florida)
- Apalachicola River basin (Florida)
- Atchafalaya River basin (Louisiana)
- Pearl River basin (Mississippi, Louisiana)
- Congaree National Park (South Carolina)
- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Florida)
- Suwannee River basin (Georgia, Florida)
- Ricefields near Woodruff, South Carolina
- Altamaha River corridor (Georgia)
These areas contain significant acreage of forested wetlands and river swamps where Swallow-tailed Kites regularly nest each summer. The kites that breed in these locations migrate south to South America for the winter.
Habits and Behaviors Affecting Range
The specialized habitat preferences and migration patterns of Swallow-tailed Kites influence their distribution and range. Here are some key facts about their habits and behaviors:
Dependence on Wetlands
Swallow-tailed Kites show a strong preference for nesting and hunting in and around forested wetlands, rivers, swamps, and marshes. They are rarely found far from water. This dependence on wetland habitats restricts their range to the southeastern states where these ecosystems are found.
Migration Patterns
Swallow-tailed Kites migrate every winter to South America instead of remaining year-round on their breeding grounds. They form large flocks and travel to the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil, the Llanos grasslands in Venezuela and Colombia, and wetlands in Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. The availability of food in these tropical wetlands allows them to occupy a different range seasonally.
Adaptations for Aerial Hunting
Swallow-tailed Kites have evolved several adaptations for graceful, acrobatic flight to capture flying insect prey on the wing. Their specialized hunting style takes advantage of the large dragonfly swarms found near wetlands. This aerial insectivore lifestyle influences their habitat preferences.
Nest Site Selection
Swallow-tailed Kites build shallow stick nests high up in the canopy of tall wetland trees. Nest height provides protection from predators. Their dependence on large, mature wetland trees for nest sites restricts where they can breed successfully.
Population Status and Threats
Swallow-tailed Kites have experienced population declines in past decades primarily due to habitat loss. Here is an overview of their current population status and conservation threats:
Population Status
The Swallow-tailed Kite has a global population estimated at less than 100,000 mature individuals. The North American breeding population is estimated at about 10,000 pairs. Swallow-tailed Kites are considered near threatened by the IUCN Red List.
Habitat Loss
The draining, logging, and development of wetland habitats have caused significant declines in kite populations. They rely on specialized freshwater wetland ecosystems that are becoming fragmented.
Disturbance
Swallow-tailed Kites are sensitive to human disturbance during nesting. Development, logging, and recreation near nest sites may lead pairs to abandon their eggs.
Shooting
Swallow-tailed Kites were historically shot for sport, as they are graceful fliers. Population declines due to shooting led to the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act offering federal protection.
Climate Change
Sea level rise and increased drought frequencies predicted under climate change scenarios could further degrade coastal and riverine wetland habitats used by the kites.
Conservation and Recovery
Various conservation measures are in place or proposed to help protect Swallow-tailed Kite populations and wetland habitats, including:
Legal Protections
- Listed as Near Threatened on IUCN Red List globally
- Protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- Listed as state endangered in South Carolina
Habitat Conservation
- Protection of wetlands on public and private lands through land acquisition, easements, etc.
- Watershed management plans to maintain hydrology and water quality
- Limiting development near sensitive nesting areas
Kite-friendly Forestry
- Modified timber harvest methods to protect large nest trees
- Retention of forested buffers along wetland edges
- Replanting bottomland hardwood trees in logged areas
Population Monitoring
- Breeding bird surveys to monitor population trends
- Banding studies to track migration and survival
- Nest monitoring to assess reproductive success
Targeted conservation efforts across the Swallow-tailed Kite’s breeding, migration, and wintering range will give this species the best chance at recovery in the face of ongoing threats.
Best Places to See Swallow-tailed Kites
Here are some top locations for birdwatchers to spot Swallow-tailed Kites in the wild during the summer breeding season:
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
- Over 400,000 acres of protected wetlands straddling the Georgia-Florida border
- Hundreds of nesting kite pairs
- Guided boat tours excellent for observation
Apalachicola River Basin
- Florida’s largest river system and extensive bottomland forests
- Boat tours visit prime kite habitat
- St. Vincent and St. George Island great sites
Congaree National Park
- Largest intact tract of old growth bottomland forest in U.S.
- Boardwalks let visitors access remote kite habitat
- Late summer highest density of kites
Pearl River Basin
- Forming part of Louisiana-Mississippi border
- Excellent kite density near Pearl River Wildlife Management Area
- Nesting activity can be viewed from waterways
Rice Plantations Near Woodruff, SC
- Kites forage over flooded rice fields
- Highest kite density in South Carolina
- Close views from levees and dikes
Visiting these signature sites during the breeding season offers a great chance to observe the graceful Swallow-tailed Kite in action!
Conclusion
In summary, the Swallow-tailed Kite occupies a specialized niche and range concentrated in the southeastern United States near wetland habitats. Bottomland forests, swamps, marshes, and riverside habitats are preferred, with dependence on flying insect prey and mature nesting trees. Conservation of remaining wetlands will be key to preserving sufficient breeding habitat. Though limited, the Swallow-tailed Kite’s specialized range offers excellent birdwatching opportunities in signature sites like the Okefenokee Swamp and Congaree National Park. With proper management, birding enthusiasts will continue enjoying this beautiful, aerial raptor each summer.
