White-tailed Kite

Identification

The white-tailed kite is a small raptor with distinctive, gull-like coloration combined with a falcon-like shape and hovering flight. Measuring 35–43 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–102 cm, it features white faces and underparts contrasted sharply by black wingtips, beak, and shoulders. Perhaps most striking are its deep red eyes, which stand out vividly even in low light. Both wings and tail are relatively elongated, and the bird's rounded tail is particularly characteristic of the species.

Range & Habitat

White-tailed kites are found throughout South America and parts of western North America, ranging from southern Texas and eastern Mexico through Central America to central Argentina and Chile. In California, where the species was nearly extinct in the 1930s and 1940s due to shooting and egg-collecting, they have made a remarkable recovery and are now common again—though their distribution remains patchy. They inhabit open grasslands, lowland scrub, marshes, and coastal areas, and have been recorded around the Central Valley, southern coastal regions, the San Francisco Bay area, and Humboldt County marshes. These birds are non-migratory and typically nest in the tops of isolated trees or forest edges, building stick-and-twig nests 20 to 50 feet above ground.

Behaviour & Diet

White-tailed kites are famous for their distinctive "kiting" behavior—hovering stationary in the air by facing into the wind and fluttering their wings. While hovering at around 80 feet high, they scan the ground below for movement, then dive swiftly to snatch prey with their talons. They feed principally on small rodents, shrews, small opossums, reptiles, amphibians, and large insects, consuming flying insects in mid-air but carrying larger prey to a perch to eat. Notably, they rarely eat other birds and are generally ignored by mixed-species feeding flocks.

During breeding season, which begins in mid-February with nest construction, females remain in the nest incubating eggs while males provision them with food. Incubation lasts 26–32 days, with clutches of around 4 to 5 cream-colored eggs marked with brown splotches. Chicks fledge after 35–40 days. Outside breeding season, kites roost communally in groups of up to 100 birds. They defend territories vigorously, engaging in dramatic aerial "grappling" displays where rivals lock talons during disputes.

Best Time & Places to See It

White-tailed kites are most reliably found in California's open grasslands and coastal scrub, particularly around the Central Valley, southern coastal areas including Goleta and Ellwood Mesa, the San Francisco Bay region, and Humboldt County marshes. They are readily seen patrolling or hovering over lowland habitats throughout their range. Winter months offer excellent viewing opportunities, as birds congregate in communal roosts. The breeding season (mid-February onwards) provides chances to observe territorial behavior and nesting activity, though birds are generally non-migratory and can be encountered year-round in suitable habitat.

Photography Tips

The white-tailed kite's most photogenic behavior is its characteristic hovering, which offers excellent opportunities for action shots against open sky. Photograph from a distance in open grassland or scrub habitats where birds hunt, using a telephoto lens to capture detail while allowing the bird's hunting posture to dominate the frame. The striking contrast between white and black plumage, combined with those distinctive red eyes, makes for compelling portraits. Early morning or late afternoon light will enhance these color contrasts. Patience is essential—position yourself in areas where kites regularly patrol, and wait for the hovering moment when the bird holds position while scanning for prey below, creating dramatic silhouettes or well-lit portraits depending on sun angle.