order Accipitriformes: hawks, eagles & osprey
family Accipitridae: hawks & eagles
White-tailed Kite #12, Yolo County California 29 September 2022
White-tailed Kite #11, Yolo County California 29 September 2022
White-tailed Kite #10, Yolo County California 30 June 2021
White-tailed Kite #09, Yolo County California 30 June 2021
White-tailed Kite #08, Glenn County California 08 October 2020
White-tailed Kite #07, Yolo County California 07 February 2018
White-tailed Kite #01, Santa Clara County California December 1971
White-tailed Kite #00, Santa Clara County California December 1971
Field identification tips: A buoyant raptor often observed hovering over grasslands, the white tail and underparts with dark 'wrists' are distinctive. Dark shoulders and gray upperparts are visible on a perched bird. Immature E. leucurus has a rusty wash on the breast and head, with a dark eye that turns red as the bird matures.
Typical range: In North America, this species is a year-round resident in the lowlands of the pacific coast states of California, Oregon and Washington with additional populations in south Florida, southern Texas and south through Mexico and South America.
Habitat: E. leucurus is a bird of open grasslands where it hunts small mammals by hovering until it spots its prey, then seemingly floats to the ground to capture its meal.
all photographs Copyright © Douglas Herr
last updated 03 January 2025