The split tail bird, also known as the Swallow-tailed Kite, is a medium-sized raptor found primarily in the southeastern United States. This fascinating bird is named for its deeply forked tail, which gives it excellent maneuverability and aerial agility. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the natural history and conservation status of the split tail bird in Tennessee.
Identification
The split tail bird (Elanoides forficatus) is a striking bird of prey with unmistakable plumage. Adults have snowy white heads, necks, and undersides contrasting sharply with glossy black backs, wings, and tails. The wings are long and pointed, well-adapted for soaring over open areas in search of prey. As the name suggests, the extremely long, slender tail is distinctly forked, consisting of pointed outer tail feathers nearly as long as the body. When perched, the split tail bird holds the forked tail partially fanned open. The eyes, bill, and legs are all red. Juveniles have a brown band across the chest and dark streaking on the head until they mature at 2-3 years old.
In flight, the split tail bird has a very distinctive silhouette. The wings are held in a strong dihedral, with the primaries angled upward. The forked tail fans open to reveal white bases to the tail feathers. The split tail bird frequently rocks side to side in flight with slow, powerful wingbeats on slightly crooked wings. It is a graceful and agile flier, sometimes seeming to dance or kite on air currents.
Range and Habitat
The split tail bird has a southeastern U.S. range centered around Florida and Georgia. Its breeding range extends north to southeastern Kansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and southwestern Virginia. Until the late 1900s, this species did not nest in Tennessee. Due to deforestation on its wintering grounds, the split tail bird has expanded its breeding range northward over the past few decades, colonizing suitable habitat in western Tennessee.
This species winters primarily in Central and South America, ranging as far south as Argentina and Chile. It migrates through Florida and islands in the Caribbean throughout the autumn. Northbound migration peaks in Florida during March and April as the birds return to nesting areas.
Within its range, the split tail bird inhabits open woodlands and forest edges near swamps, lakes, or rivers. It is most abundant in southern bottomland hardwood forests, cypress swamps, and mangrove forests. In Tennessee, it nests in the swamp forests of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and along major river systems.
The split tail bird rarely ventures into dense, closed-canopy forests far from open foraging areas. Access to bodies of water is also important, as its diet consists predominantly of snakes, frogs, and other aquatic prey. Tree branches for nesting and high perches for hunting are also necessities in suitable split tail bird habitat.
Life History
The split tail bird is migratory, arriving in Tennessee to breed in April and departing by late August or September. It spends winters in South America, traveling up to 4,500 miles between its breeding and wintering grounds each year. Males arrive first to establish nesting territories, followed shortly after by females.
Split tail birds build nests high in the canopy of tall trees, typically cypress, tupelo, oak, pine, or willow trees. Nests are constructed from twigs and lined with Spanish moss or other soft materials. Nest height is 30-150 feet above ground. The female lays 2-3 eggs which she incubates for 28-32 days while the male provides food. Both parents feed the young by regurgitating food.
The chicks fledge about 6 weeks after hatching but depend on the parents for another 3-4 weeks. By late summer, they are adept flyers feeding independently to fuel up for the long migration south. Split tail birds are believed to reach sexual maturity by age 2 or 3.
Split tail birds are monogamous. Pairs may nest in loose colonies, though each defends its own nesting territory. Nest sites are often reused year after year. These birds are non-vocal but communicate with high-pitched whistling calls. Their call is described as a rapid “kiti-kiti-kiti.”
Diet
The split tail bird is a carnivore that feeds mainly on reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and insects. A highly maneuverable flier, it hunts by coursing low over wetlands and along forest edges, snatching prey on the wing or from tree branches. It rarely dives down to grab prey from the ground.
Frogs and snakes make up the majority of the split tail bird’s diet. It is particularly adept at catching venomous snakes, even reputedly snatching cottonmouths and copperheads from the water’s surface. Other prey includes smaller birds, crayfish, turtles, lizards, squirrels, bats, large insects, and spiders.
Prey Type | Examples |
---|---|
Reptiles | Snakes, lizards, turtles |
Amphibians | Frogs, salamanders |
Mammals | Squirrels, bats, rats |
Birds | Songbirds, quail chicks |
Invertebrates | Insects, crayfish, spiders |
When not breeding, split tail birds are highly gregarious and forage in groups. They are known to associate with flocks of Mississippi Kites during migration and on the wintering grounds, cooperating to find food and roost sites.
Conservation Status
Historically, the split tail bird ranged across much of the eastern half of the United States. Habitat loss and hunting led to major declines in population and range through the early 1900s. Following legal protections, the species has rebounded and reclaimed portions of its former range. However, habitat degradation continues to threaten populations.
The split tail bird is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List but remains a species of conservation concern. Although still rare in parts of its range, global populations are estimated at 350,000-500,000 individuals and are generally stable at this time. The species faces threats from deforestation, drainage of wetlands, and alteration of river systems within its specialized habitat.
In Tennessee, split tail bird populations appear to be slowly increasing as they expand northward. They are designated as a Species in Need of Management by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency but are not currently listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Conservation efforts in the state have focused on protection of bottomland hardwood forests and swamps.
Across the species’ range, important conservation strategies include preserving wetland habitats, maintaining buffer zones around nest sites, protecting wintering grounds in South America, and restricting use of toxic pesticides and chemicals. With appropriate habitat, this unique bird has shown resiliency and should continue rebounding.
Interesting Facts
Here are a few more interesting tidbits about the graceful split tail bird:
- It is Tennessee’s only member of the kite family, which includes birds of prey distinguished by their graceful, buoyant flight.
- The genus name Elanoides means “like a kite”, referring to its kite-like ecology and flight style.
- The split tail bird is thought to be monogamous, pairing up with a single mate for life.
- It rarely vocalizes but has a high, whistling “kiti-kiti-kiti” call used by pairs and families.
- Like other raptors, the split tail bird builds a new nest each breeding season.
- It often soars using its long, narrow wings tilted up in a ‘V’ shape.
- The split tail bird specializes in hunting reptiles and amphibians in wetlands.
- It migrates thousands of miles between North America and South America every year.
- Split tail birds fly with their distinctive split tail held open in flight.
- They are agile fliers that swoop and glide to snatch prey on the wing.
Conclusion
With its sharply contrasting black and white plumage, deeply forked tail, and graceful flight, the split tail bird is one of the most striking birds found in Tennessee. Though still uncommon in the state, it appears to be expanding its breeding range northward from coastal strongholds. Conservation of wetland habitats will benefit this unusual species specialized for hunting reptiles and amphibians.
The split tail bird remains a mysterious species in many respects, from its long-distance migrations to its snake-snatching hunting skills. With appropriate habitat conservation and protections, hopefully this charismatic raptor will continue its steady population recovery and wow birders with its aerial agility across the Southeast for years to come.