Swallow-Tailed Kite 1

Note: This video has some loud wind noise.
One of a pair of swallow-tailed kites circling above our "post office pond." Writes John E. Cely at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, "Currently, the kite occupies a remnant breeding range of seven, possibly eight, southern states that historically included at least 21 states.... It is state-listed by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) as an endangered species and a high priority species of concern by Partners in Flight (PIF)."

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• bird
• swallowtailedkite
• FL
• endangered

[aldurak]

Ya, saw one in Lettuce Lake Park and Gainesville Florida.

[FullmetalAngyl]

It looks like the camera was being a son of a gun on the focus! XD I Hate it when those things have a mind of their own.

Great footage!

[roadhunter69]

I was fortunate enough to witness one just SE of Oklahoma City a couple of weeks ago. Quite a rarity for this area. Your video helped confirm my identification.

[thisismyname007]

Swallow-tailed kites are elegant birds. Just this afternoon, I enjoyed watching about a dozen of them riding thermals over my house and diving. They fly so effortlessly and with pure grace. Their cry is kind of like a squeaky toy. I live in north-central Florida (Gainesville). A week ago, there were twenty of them.

[Tecobelli]

Thank you for posting this. I've never seen one in the wild. They're amazing.

[bigjalil]

great job.

[ottovw]

Good job! Great footage of an amazing bird.