Swallow-tailed Kite

Another bird that is a rarity in our area that we observe in the Florida Panhandle every year is the Swallow-tailed Kite. However I have yet to capture a decent image of one as they are always soaring very high overhead.

Swallow-tailed Kites are large but slender and buoyant raptors. They have long, narrow, pointed wings, slim bodies, and a very long, deeply forked tail. The bill is small and sharply hooked.

Swallow-tailed Kites are a sharp contrast of bright-white head and underparts and gleaming black wings, back, and tail. From below, the wing linings are white and the flight feathers are black.

Tomorrow we will start taking a look at some of the wildlife, including snakes that we have observed in Florida.