Snail Kite

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Also known as:Everglade Kite

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Identification

43 cm (17") Rare. Florida.

Male: all dark except for white at base of tail and narrow white tail band. Red-orange legs, eyes, and on face. Eats only snails.

Female or Immature: Dark brown. Heavily streaked breast. Eyebrow stripe. Dark tail with a broad white band across it. Eats only snails.

Was called Everglade Kite.

Details in the field

4 photos

Credit: SkyHum

Watch and learn

2 videos

Snail Kite

Credit: Studio Ray

Snail Kite.m4v

Credit: Rob Palmer

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 4 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

2 rules

Rule 1 11 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Pointed · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Light band across the middle · Light band at the tip · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States

result:376-snail-kite-female-or-immature:1:1 Source: 376 Snail Kite (Female or Immature), row 1

Rule 2 13 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Light band across the middle · Light band at the tip · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States

result:376-snail-kite-female-or-immature:2:1 Source: 376 Snail Kite (Female or Immature), row 2

2 rules

Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 1

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the undertail coverts · On the rump or lower back · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Pointed · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States

result:375-snail-kite:1:1 Source: 375 Snail Kite, row 1

Rule 2 13 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What Color were the UNDERTAIL COVERTS ?: White or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States

result:375-snail-kite:2:1 Source: 375 Snail Kite, row 2