Rufous-thighed Kite

Identification

The Rufous-thighed Kite is a small raptor measuring 29 to 35 cm in length with a wingspan of 60 to 70 cm. Adults are unmistakable in their slate-gray head and upperparts, with chestnut thighs that give the species its English name. The tail is slate gray with three paler bars and white-tipped feathers. Look for the whitish throat with a dark central streak, gray breast fading to white at the undertail coverts, and a distinctive red or orange eye with a lemon-yellow cere and yellow to orange legs. Females are slightly larger than males. Immature birds are notably different, with dark brown upperparts, streaked head sides, and whitish underparts with darker streaking on the breast and belly.

Range & Habitat

The Rufous-thighed Kite breeds in southern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Paraguay, then migrates north during the non-breeding season into Amazonian Brazil, Bolivia, Guyana, and Suriname. Vagrants have been recorded in French Guiana and Venezuela, with an unevaluated report from Colombia. The species is primarily a lowland rainforest dweller, favoring primary forest but readily adapting to aged secondary forest with closed canopy. It has even been spotted in forest patches within urban areas, such as São Paulo.

Behaviour & Diet

As an austral migrant, the Rufous-thighed Kite moves seasonally from its southern breeding grounds northward into Amazonia, sometimes traveling in loose flocks of up to 30 individuals. It hunts within the forest canopy, typically in the middle to upper layers, perching quietly before seizing prey from branches rather than catching it in mid-air. Its diet consists predominantly of insects—particularly cicadas and orthoptera—with smaller numbers of lizards, birds, amphibians, and small mammals. The species opportunistically follows army ant swarms and monkey troops to capture flushed prey.

Breeding occurs from October to February during the austral late spring and summer. Nests are simple stick platforms placed in tree forks or on horizontal branches, containing one or two eggs. Fledglings leave the nest about four weeks after hatching. High-pitched begging calls and three-note adult vocalizations are the main sounds recorded for this species.

Best Time & Places to See It

The Rufous-thighed Kite is most regularly encountered in Amazonian Brazil, Bolivia, Guyana, and Suriname during the non-breeding season when populations move north. For breeding birds, southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina are your best destinations during October to February. The species' preference for closed-canopy lowland rainforest means patient observation in primary and mature secondary forests offers the best chances of encounter. Early morning hours when raptors are most active improve your odds.

Photography Tips

Photographing this small, forest-dwelling raptor requires patience and a keen eye. Look for it perched quietly in the canopy midstory, where it surveys branches for prey. Its contrasting slate-gray and chestnut plumage photographs well in dappled forest light, though the closed-canopy habitat presents challenges. A zoom lens of at least 400mm is essential. Position yourself where you have clear sight lines through the forest, and listen for its distinctive vocalizations—the disyllabic "chee-weet" calls may alert you to nearby birds. Early morning light is ideal for capturing the rich rufous tones of its thighs and the distinctive eye color.