White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Also known as:Black-shouldered Kite

Explore this bird

Identification

41 cm (16") Rare. Open country, grasslands, marshes.

Falcon-like; long pointed wings and a long white tail. Black shoulder patch contrasts with gray back and white underparts.

In flight; gull-like, often hovers.

Was called Black-shouldered Kite.

Song: whistled "kee kee kee"

Details in the field

3 photos

Credit: Jack Sutton

Watch and learn

1 video

White-tailed Kite

Credit: Don DesJardin

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 13 criteria confidence 1

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the wings and underbody · 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 ?: 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 TAIL ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · 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 · Southwestern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:371-white-tailed-kite:1:1 Source: 371 White-tailed Kite, 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 was the TAIL ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · 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 ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · 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 · Southwestern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:371-white-tailed-kite:2:1 Source: 371 White-tailed Kite, row 2

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 ?: Broad dark band across the tip · None · 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 · Southwestern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:372-white-tailed-kite-immature:1:1 Source: 372 White-tailed Kite (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 colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Broad dark band across the tip · None · Unknown
What colour was the TAIL ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: 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 · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · 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 · Southwestern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:372-white-tailed-kite-immature:2:1 Source: 372 White-tailed Kite (Immature), row 2