Swallow-tailed Kite in Topeka 2018
This lone swallow-tailed kite was seen on September 4, 2018 near the Governor’s mansion in the city of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas.
Kites are a type of hawk. When flying they rarely flap their wings but instead they catch the wind as they soar through the air. In Kansas we have the common Mississippi kite and two species that are accidental in the state. The white-tailed kite and swallow-tailed kite are both species of the gulf coast that are rarely seen in Kansas.
Swallow tailed kites have a white head and body along with a black back and tail. Their V shaped tail is deeply forked. Their black wings and white wing linings along with their large forked tails give them very unique look.
Swallow tailed Kites are a very rare bird in Topeka and all of Kansas. The last time one was seen in Shawnee County was in 1972. Statewide, they’ve only been documented in 18 of our 105 counties. Most years go by without a sighting in the state.
Insects make up most of their diet. They fly through the air catching aerial insects with their feet. They eat their pray while flying through the air.
Swallow-tailed kites breed in 7 states in the southeastern United States. Historically they bred in 21 states and as far north as Minnesota. They last nested in Kansas in the late 1800s.
The Swallowtail kites found in the United States all migrate to South America where they spend the winter.
Why did this lone swallowtail kite end up in Topeka, so far from its home in the southeastern United States? Leave a comment if you have any ideas.
Learn to identify kites and other hawks in North America with:
A Field Guide to Hawks of North America
Buy it at [ Ссылка ]
Learn even more about kites and other hawks of North America with:
Birds of Prey: Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, and Vultures of North America
Buy it at [ Ссылка ]
If you liked this video
1. Subscribe to my channel
2. Click the "thumbs up"
3. Share it with friends
4. Leave a comment
Thanks for watching and I hope to see you here again on my Backyard Birds channel.
Equipment Used to Make this Video
(Camera)
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS 12MP Digital Camera with 2.8-Inch LCD
[ Ссылка ]
(Tripod)
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 055 Aluminium 3-Section Tripod with Horizontal Column
[ Ссылка ]
(Head)
Manfrotto 128RC Micro Fluid Head with 200PL 14 RC2 Rapid Connector Plate
[ Ссылка ]
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
