Snail Kite

The highly specialized Snail Kite flies on broad wings over tropical wetlands as it hunts large freshwater snails. These handsome gray-and-black raptors have a delicate, strongly curved bill that fits inside the snail shells to pull out the juicy prey inside. 

Unlike most other raptors, Snail Kites nest in colonies and roost communally, sometimes among other waterbirds such as Herons and Anhingas. They are common in Central and South America but in the U.S. they occur only in Florida and are listed as Federally Endangered. Cornell All About Birds

The only part of Vero Beach that Marilyn got to see was the sewage lagoons when we stopped to observe Snail Kites.