White-winged Kite

About

The White-winged Kite, also known as the White-tailed Kite, is a small, elegant raptor characterized by its predominantly white plumage, black shoulder patches, and distinctive hovering flight. It is a highly efficient predator of small mammals, particularly voles, and is often seen hunting in open grasslands and agricultural areas.

Size & lifespan

Length

35-43 cm (14-17 in)

Wingspan

88-102 cm (35-40 in)

Weight

250-380 g (8.8-13.4 oz)

Lifespan

Typically 4-6 years in the wild, with records up to 10 years.

Diet

Carnivore, primarily feeding on small mammals (especially voles and mice), but also takes large insects, small birds, and reptiles.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults are predominantly white on the head, underparts, and tail. The back and upperwings are pale grey. Distinctive black patches are present on the shoulders (carpal joints) and the primary wing feathers are black, visible in flight. The tail is short and square, entirely white or with a faint grey central streak.

Beak shape

Small, sharply hooked black beak with a yellow cere.

Eye color

Bright red eyes in adults, becoming duller in juveniles.

Leg color

Yellowish-orange legs and feet with black talons.

Distinguishing features

Bright red eyes, prominent black shoulder patches, and a pure white tail are key identification features. Its buoyant, almost tern-like flight and characteristic hovering are also highly distinctive.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles have a brownish wash on the head and breast, often with streaking. The back and upperwings are browner than adults, and the black shoulder patches are less defined. The eyes are duller, often yellowish-brown, and the tail may have a dark subterminal band.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Juveniles gradually acquire adult plumage over their first year.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are generally similar in plumage, though females tend to be slightly larger and heavier than males.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage

   Look for the striking contrast of pure white underparts and head with a pale grey back and upperwings. The prominent black patches on the shoulders (carpal joints) are diagnostic.

2. 2

   Tail

   Observe the short, square, and entirely white tail (or with a very faint central grey streak in some adults). This distinguishes it from other raptors.

3. 3

   Eyes

   Note the bright red eyes in adults, which are very distinctive. Juveniles have duller, yellowish-brown eyes.

4. 4

   Flight Style

   Watch for its characteristic hovering behavior, often facing into the wind, with wings held in a V-shape. Its flight is buoyant and light, almost tern-like.

5. 5

   Perching

   Often perches conspicuously on exposed branches, utility poles, or fence posts, providing good views.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Grasslands, savannas, open woodlands, agricultural fields, marshes, and coastal plains.

Geographic range

Western and southern North America (from California and Oregon south through Mexico and Central America), and much of South America (from Colombia and Venezuela south to central Argentina and Chile).

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), occasionally higher in some parts of its South American range.

Preferred environments

Prefers open country with scattered trees or tall shrubs for perching and nesting, often near water sources. Requires areas with abundant small mammal populations.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, most active during the morning and late afternoon.

Feeding habits

A highly specialized hunter, primarily preying on small rodents. It hunts by hovering motionless in the air, often at heights of 10-50 meters, scanning the ground below. Once prey is spotted, it drops silently with wings held high, often making several short, shallow dives before striking. It may also hunt from a perch.

Social behavior

Generally solitary or found in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Outside of breeding, they may form communal roosts, sometimes numbering dozens of individuals, particularly in winter.

Flight pattern

Characterized by a buoyant, graceful flight with shallow wing beats. It frequently hovers, often facing into the wind, with its tail fanned and wings held in a V-shape. This hovering behavior is a key identification feature.

Migration pattern

Mostly resident throughout its range, though some northern populations in North America may undertake short-distance movements or irruptions in response to prey availability. Southern populations are largely sedentary.

Territoriality

Pairs defend a breeding territory around their nest site. Communal roosts are not territorial.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Varies geographically. In North America, typically March to August. In South America, it can breed almost year-round, with peaks often coinciding with prey abundance.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically built in the top of a tall tree or shrub, often 6-20 meters (20-65 feet) above the ground. The nest is a bulky, shallow cup made of sticks and twigs, lined with softer materials like grass, leaves, and sometimes moss. Both sexes participate in nest building.

Clutch size

3-5 eggs (range 2-7)

Egg description

Typically 3-5 eggs, though clutches can range from 2-7. Eggs are dull white to creamy white, often heavily marked with reddish-brown or purplish spots and blotches, particularly at the larger end.

Incubation period

Approximately 30-32 days, primarily by the female, while the male provides food.

Fledging period

Young fledge around 35-40 days after hatching, but remain dependent on parents for several weeks thereafter.

Parental care

Both parents care for the young. The female incubates and broods, while the male provides most of the food during incubation and early nestling stages. Both parents hunt for older nestlings and fledglings.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Scan for Hovering Birds. Look for a small, white raptor hovering almost motionless in the air, often at a moderate height. This is its primary hunting method and a strong indicator of its presence.
2. Check Exposed Perches. White-winged Kites frequently perch on the highest available point in their habitat, such as dead trees, utility poles, or fence posts. Use binoculars to scan these perches.
3. Look for Communal Roosts. In winter or non-breeding periods, check large trees or groves of trees at dusk for communal roosts, which can sometimes contain many individuals.
4. Listen for Calls. While not overly vocal, listen for their high-pitched 'kew-kew-kew' calls, especially if you suspect one is nearby or disturbed.

Similar species

Quick facts

Primary Prey:

Voles and mice

Hunting Style:

Hovering and dropping

Distinctive Feature:

Black shoulder patches, red eyes, white tail

Flight:

Buoyant, tern-like, frequent hovering

Conservation Status:

Least Concern (population stable or increasing in many areas)

Fun facts

• The White-winged Kite was formerly known as the White-tailed Kite in North America, but the name was changed to White-winged Kite to align with its South American populations and to avoid confusion with other 'white-tailed' species.
• Its hovering ability is so precise that it can remain almost perfectly still in strong winds, allowing it to pinpoint prey with remarkable accuracy.
• Despite being a raptor, its flight is often described as 'tern-like' due to its light, buoyant wing beats and graceful movements.
• In some regions, populations of White-winged Kites have expanded significantly due to changes in land use, such as the conversion of forests to agricultural fields, which creates ideal hunting habitat.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Accipitriformes

Family

Accipitridae

Genus

Elanus

Species

Elanus leucurus

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