The white-tailed kite is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found in open grasslands, savannas, and meadows. Its scientific name is Elanus leucurus, and it is classified in the family Accipitridae. There has been some debate among ornithologists and birders as to whether the white-tailed kite should be considered a true raptor or not. In this article, we’ll look at the characteristics and behaviors of white-tailed kites to determine if they qualify as raptors.
What is a Raptor?
Raptors are birds of prey that primarily hunt and feed on vertebrates like mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish. The key features of raptors are:
- Strong grasping feet with sharp talons for catching and killing prey
- Sharp hooked beaks for tearing flesh and feeding
- Excellent eyesight for detecting prey movement
- Powerful wings for swift flight to pursue prey
Raptors include eagles, hawks, falcons, ospreys, kites, harriers, vultures, and owls. There are around 500 species of raptors found worldwide. All raptors are carnivores that hunt live prey. They play an important role as top predators in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Characteristics of White-tailed Kites
Now let’s take a closer look at the specific features and behaviors of white-tailed kites to see if they match those of true raptors:
Physical Features
- The white-tailed kite measures 14-19 inches in length with a wingspan of 37-45 inches. Males and females are similar in size.
- It has pale gray plumage on its head, back, wings and tail. The underside of its body is white. It has black wing tips and shoulders.
- Its most distinctive feature is its long, forked tail which is bright white in color. This gives it its common name.
- It has curved talons on its feet specialized for grasping prey.
- Its slim, hooked beak is adapted for tearing flesh.
- It has large eyes which give it excellent vision.
So in terms of physical characteristics, the white-tailed kite matches the features typical of raptors very closely. It has sharp talons, a hooked beak, keen eyesight, and a medium-sized body perfect for an agile hunting bird.
Hunting and Feeding
The hunting and feeding behaviors of the white-tailed kite also align with those of raptors:
- It is a carnivore that feeds exclusively on small vertebrate prey like rodents, small reptiles, amphibians, and young birds.
- It locates prey while soaring and gliding low over open habitats.
- To catch prey, it plunges down swiftly from flight and grasps prey with its talons.
- It sometimes hovers in place before dropping down on prey.
- It dismembers prey with its beak and consumes it on the ground.
- It hunts almost solely on live prey and rarely scavenges.
The white-tailed kite depends on its keen vision and aerial agility to hunt down live vertebrate prey, primarily small mammals. This puts its hunting technique squarely in the category of raptors.
Breeding
The breeding behaviors of white-tailed kites also resemble those of hawks, eagles, and falcons:
- White-tailed kites are monogamous. Pairs mate for life.
- They build nests high up in trees, sometimes taking over old crow or hawk nests.
- The female lays 3-6 eggs which are incubated for about 28 days.
- The hatchlings are altricial, meaning they are helpless at birth and rely on the parents for food and care.
- Both parents help feed and raise the young, which fledge in 35-40 days.
Overall, white-tailed kites exhibit a breeding strategy common among many raptors of mating for life, building aerial nests, and cooperatively raising altricial young.
Comparison to Other Raptors
To get further insight into its classification, it is helpful to directly compare the white-tailed kite to some unambiguous raptors:
Red-Tailed Hawk
- Also medium-sized aerial hunter of small mammals and birds.
- Possesses sharp talons and hooked beak.
- Powerful flier that soars high to spot prey.
- Plunges from flight to seize prey with feet.
- Nests high up on ledges or in trees.
Peregrine Falcon
- Specializes in hunting birds in flight.
- Very fast and agile flier.
- Catches prey after steep dives from great heights.
- Also feeds on small mammals like bats and rodents.
- Nests on tall cliffs or urban tower ledges.
Bald Eagle
- Powerful large raptor that feeds on fish and water birds.
- Steals prey from smaller raptors.
- Snatches fish from water with talons.
- Also scavenges carrion.
- Nests in large trees or on cliffs near water.
The white-tailed kite overlaps significantly in hunting methods, prey choice, physical attributes, and breeding habits with these textbook raptor species. This close similarity bolsters the case for categorizing the white-tailed kite as a true raptor.
Species Classifications
Looking at how scientific taxonomies classify the white-tailed kite also provides useful perspective:
- It is grouped under the Accipitridae family of diurnal birds of prey along with hawk, eagle, kite, and vulture species.
- Within this family, it belongs to the Elaninae subfamily which includes 6 other kite species.
- Its genus Elanus includes 4 other kite species found worldwide exhibiting similar morphology and hunting habits.
These taxonomic groupings confirm that biologists consistently categorize the white-tailed kite as a raptorial species closely related to other kites, hawks, and eagles.
Conclusion
In summary, the white-tailed kite possesses the key physical attributes of raptors including sharp talons, hooked beak, excellent vision, powerful flight muscles, and medium size. It exhibits classic raptorial behaviors such as hunting live vertebrate prey in flight, seizing prey with its feet, feeding on small mammals and birds, and nesting and breeding in trees. It shares multiple similarities in morphology, diet, hunting methods, and reproduction with undisputed raptor species. Scientific taxonomy consistently groups it under the raptorial Accipitridae family along with other kites and hawks. Based on all evidence presented, the white-tailed kite clearly qualifies as a true species of raptor. It rightfully takes its place alongside eagles, hawks, falcons, kites and other birds of prey as an agile small mammal hunter of open habitats.
References
- Raptors of the World by James Ferguson-Lees et al. – Details raptor classification and updated taxonomy.
- Raptors: The Birds of Prey by Keith L. Bildstein – Overview of raptor traits and evolution.
- National Audubon Society Guide to North American Birds – Provides species profiles and identification tips.
- The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley – Widely used field guide with detailed illustrations.
- Birds of Prey by Pete Dunne – Covers feeding, breeding and conservation.
- All About Birds – Cornell Lab of Ornithology website with species descriptions.
- Raptor Research Foundation – Scientific organization dedicated to raptor conservation.