Birds diurnal

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Witness the most elegant acrobat of the sky. With its unmistakable forked tail and effortless gliding, the Swallow-tailed Kite turns every flight into a masterclass of aerial agility.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 19-26 in (48-66 cm); Wingspan: 45-54 in (114-137 cm); Weight: 13-21 oz (370-600 g)

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Colors

High-contrast palette featuring a pure white head, neck, and underparts against deep black-to-iridescent-blue wings and tail. Males and females are identical in plumage.

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Key Features

Deeply forked 'V' shaped black tail
Striking contrast of pure white body and black wings
Long, pointed wings with a 4-foot span
Smooth, acrobatic flight with frequent tail rotations
Slim, elegant silhouette in flight

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (when thermals are strongest)

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Season March-August (in North America)

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Diet A versatile hunter that feeds primarily on large insects like dragonflies, cicadas, and grasshoppers caught in mid-air. They also snatch lizards, small snakes, frogs, and occasionally bird nestlings directly from the tree canopy without landing.

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Habitat Wetland margins, cypress swamps, and pine flatwoods, often seen soaring over open fields or suburban areas near large stands of tall trees.

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Behavior

The Swallow-tailed Kite is widely considered one of the most graceful fliers in the avian world. Unlike many raptors that perch to search for prey, these kites spend the vast majority of their day on the wing, drinking, bathing, and even eating while in flight. They use their deeply forked tails as a rudder, twisting it nearly 90 degrees to make sharp, effortless turns through the canopy or over open fields. They are highly social birds, often seen foraging in small groups or nesting in loose colonies within the tops of the tallest available trees.

While they are masters of the air, they are relatively shy around human activity on the ground. However, they have adapted well to suburban fringes that border wetlands or pine flatwoods. They are not aggressive toward humans, but they are vocal near their nesting sites, emitting thin, high-pitched whistling calls to communicate with mates or warn off intruders. Their social nature is most evident during the late summer when hundreds may congregate in 'pre-migratory roosts' before their long journey back to South America.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Swallow-tailed Kite on a backyard camera requires a departure from traditional ground-level setups. Because these birds rarely touch the ground except to occasionally gather nesting material, your camera should be positioned with a clear, wide-angle view of the sky or the very tops of the tree canopy. If you have a tall pole or can safely mount a camera to a second-story eave, aim it upward at a 45-degree angle toward an open flight path. They are creatures of habit, often following the same aerial corridors each day as they move between roosting and hunting grounds.

To increase your chances of a close-up, focus on 'fly-by' zones rather than 'landing' zones. Kites are drawn to areas with high dragonfly activity, so placing a camera near a backyard pond or a sun-drenched meadow can yield excellent results. They are particularly active during the hottest part of the day when thermal updrafts allow them to glide effortlessly. Set your camera’s trigger speed to the fastest possible setting; these birds move with deceptive speed, and a slow sensor will result in nothing but a white blur.

During the spring nesting season (March through May), Swallow-tailed Kites look for Spanish moss and small twigs to build their nests. If you live in the Southeastern US, placing a camera with a view of a tall, moss-draped pine or cypress tree might reward you with footage of their incredible 'snatch-and-grab' technique. They don't land to gather moss; they swoop in and pull it away in one fluid motion. Use a high frame rate for video to capture the intricate tail movements they use to stabilize themselves during these maneuvers.

Finally, consider the lighting. Because of their stark white undersides, they can easily 'blow out' or become overexposed in bright midday sun. If your AI camera allows for exposure adjustment, try underexposing by a fraction to preserve the detail in their white feathers. Early morning or late afternoon light provides a warmer glow and helps highlight the iridescent sheen on their black wing feathers, making for a much more dramatic and professional-looking capture.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Swallow-tailed Kite.

Mississippi Kite

Smaller and predominantly gray with a blunt, squared tail rather than a deep fork.

Magnificent Frigatebird

Also has a forked tail, but is much larger, all black (males), and found strictly along coastal shorelines.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Much smaller songbird with a similar tail, but features salmon-pink flanks and a very different flight pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Swallow-tailed Kites are diurnal and are most active from mid-morning to late afternoon, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun creates the thermal updrafts they use to soar with minimal effort.

You cannot attract them with birdseed. Instead, maintain a wildlife-friendly yard with a pond for dragonflies or native plants that support large insects. They are drawn to open spaces with high insect populations and tall trees like pines for nesting.

Their diet consists of large flying insects, lizards, frogs, and small snakes. They are famous for eating 'on the wing,' meaning they catch their prey and eat it while continuing to fly.

Yes, they are frequently seen in suburban areas that are near wetlands, rivers, or large wooded tracts, especially in the coastal Southeastern United States during the spring and summer.

The Swallow-tailed Kite is much larger with a deeply forked black tail and a stark white head and belly. The Mississippi Kite is smaller, mostly gray, and has a squared-off tail.

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