MEASUREMENTS: The White-tailed Kite has a body length of 14 - 17 inches, more than a 3-foot wingspan, and weighs 9 - 10 1/2 ounces. HABITAT: White-tailed Kites favor agricultural areas, grasslands, marshes, savannas, and other open land or sparsely wooded areas from the West Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States into Central America and eastern South America. DIET: These kites prefer small mammals such as mice and voles, but will also occasionally hunt birds, reptiles, and amphibians. White-tailed Kites search for prey from soaring, flapping, or hovering flight, then swoop down onto their prey. REPRODUCTION: White-tailed Kites build a platform of sticks in the fork of a tree or bush. They lay 3 - 5 eggs that are incubated for 30 - 32 days. The young kites fledge at 5 - 6 weeks of age. If prey is abundant, then a second clutch of eggs may be laid. NAME DERIVATION: The scientific name comes from the Greek words elano, referring to a kite, and means to press forward, dive onto, or harass; leuko, meaning white; and oura, indicating a tail. The White-tailed Kite was formerly considered to be the same species as the Black-shouldered Kite of Africa and Asia. INTERESTING FACTS: The word kite comes from the Old English word cyta. Cyta is derived from skut meaning to shoot or go swiftly, and refers to the way these birds swoop onto their prey. The name also refers to this bird’s light buoyant flight. The child’s toy made of wood and paper was named for these birds. Many of the North American kites have an eye color that is some shade of red. The White-tailed Kite has a similar hunting strategy and prey preference as the American Kestrel.

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