White-tailed Kite

The White-tailed Kite is a small, pale raptor found across open country in the Americas, from California and Texas south through Central and much of South America. Its ghostly gray-and-white plumage and habit of hovering in place while scanning for rodents make it a familiar sight over fields and marshes.

It has red eyes and a pale, almost tern-like appearance in flight, with long pointed wings held slightly raised.

Its feathers are notably plain and unmarked compared to many hawks, which combined with the small black wing patch makes them fairly easy to place once seen up close.

Shape and Size

Wings are long and pointed for a bird this size, and the tail is fairly long and only slightly notched. Flight feathers are moderate in width, less robust than a buteo's.

Color and Pattern

• Back and upperwing coverts: pale gray, unbarred
• A solid black patch is unique to the lesser upperwing coverts (a small cluster of feathers near the bend of the wing)
• Underparts, tail, and head: white, essentially unmarked, without barring
• Primaries: gray above, whitish-gray below with dusky tips
• Shafts: pale

Distinguishing from Similar Species

The combination of a plain white, unbarred tail with plain pale gray back feathers separates this species from most American hawks, which typically show tail banding. The isolated black shoulder-patch feathers are a strong confirming clue if found alongside the pale gray and white feathers.

Adults are pale gray above and white below with black shoulder patches and a white, unbanded tail; sexes are similar, though females can average slightly darker. Juveniles show a rusty wash on the breast and some light streaking that fades within a few months.

Molt is gradual and can occur over an extended period given the species' ability to breed in multiple seasons in favorable years.

Found in open grasslands, savanna, marshes, and agricultural land, often near scattered trees used for perching and nesting. Range extends from the western and southern United States through Mexico, Central America, and much of South America.

Most populations are resident, though some individuals disperse seasonally in response to rodent prey availability.

Famous for hovering, or "kiting," motionless in the air on rapidly beating wings while watching the ground for voles and other small rodents, then dropping down feet-first to strike.

They nest in loose stick platforms in trees, sometimes in loose colonies, and can raise multiple broods when prey is abundant. Calls are thin, whistled notes.

A plain pale gray or white feather with a small solid black feather nearby, found over open farmland or marsh edge, is a strong hint for this species.