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Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Bird · family Accipitridae · order Accipitriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
11 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
6 years[4]

The Swallow-tailed Kite is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[1], and NatureServe lists it as native in 11 US states and territories, mostly in the Southeast[3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Swallow-tailed Kite a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. In the United States its breeding rank is N3B, which means Vulnerable (breeding)[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N3B (Vulnerable (breeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
CITES (international trade)[9] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] 100,000 to 1,000,000 individuals

Where Swallow-tailed Kite lives

NatureServe lists the Swallow-tailed Kite as native in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas[3]. It is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin[11]. People report it most often on GBIF in Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana, but those counts follow where observers look[12].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXBMNIllinois: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXBIAIndiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXBINOhio: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: native, state rank SUMNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXB,SNRNNEMissouri: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXMOKentucky: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXB,SNANKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXBKSArkansas: native, state rank S1BARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S1BNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S2SCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNRMOKLouisiana: native, state rank S2BLAMississippi: native, state rank S2BMSAlabama: native, state rank S2ALGeorgia: native, state rank S2GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S2BTXFlorida: native, state rank S2FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[13].
Show state ranks (21 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS2Imperiled
ArkansasS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
FloridaS2Imperiled
GeorgiaS2Imperiled
IllinoisSXPresumed Extirpated
IndianaSXBPresumed Extirpated (breeding)
IowaSXBPresumed Extirpated (breeding)
KansasSXBPresumed Extirpated (breeding)
KentuckySXB,SNANPresumed Extirpated (breeding), Not Applicable (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS2BImperiled (breeding)
MinnesotaSXBPresumed Extirpated (breeding)
MississippiS2BImperiled (breeding)
MissouriSXPresumed Extirpated
NebraskaSXB,SNRNPresumed Extirpated (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
New JerseySUMUnrankable (migrant)
North CarolinaS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
OhioSXPresumed Extirpated
OklahomaSNRMNot Ranked (migrant)
South CarolinaS2Imperiled
TexasS2BImperiled (breeding)
WisconsinSXPresumed Extirpated

Habitat

The kite uses forests, woodlands, savannas and wetlands, including riparian areas along waterways[14]. NatureServe says it needs tall trees it can reach for nesting and open areas for hunting, and arid areas are avoided[15]. In the United States it lives in pine forests, cypress swamps, hardwood hammocks, mangrove swamps, prairies and marshes[15].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[14]

Size, diet and lifespan

The kite is a carnivore that eats mostly insects[16]. One estimate puts its diet at 70% invertebrates, 20% reptiles and amphibians, and 10% fruit[17]. It catches prey in the air or plucks it from plants with its talons, and it also takes frogs, lizards, snakes and nestling birds[18]. A typical adult is about 58 cm (23 in) long[19] and weighs about 475 g[20]. The oldest known wild kite in US and Canadian banding records was at least 6 years 11 months old[4]. It nests in loose colonies of 2 to 5 nests, and individuals often nest near sites used before[21].

Trait Value
Typical length[19] 58 cm (23 in)
Typical adult weight[20] 475 g (16.8 oz)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 6 years 11 months
Food habits[16] Carnivore, Invertivore
Migration[22] long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[17]

  • 70% invertebrates
  • 20% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% fruit

When to look for it

The Swallow-tailed Kite is active in the daytime[23]. NatureServe calls it a long-distance migrant[22]. Spring migrants start arriving in Florida in early to mid February, and the birds leave again between late July and early September[24]. GBIF records in the United States peak in March, April and May[25]. Records show when people look and report, not how many birds there are[25].

January: 17 recordsJanFebruary: 6,535 recordsFebMarch: 51,224 recordsMarApril: 56,414 recordsAprMay: 41,672 recordsMayJune: 31,043 recordsJunJuly: 27,185 recordsJulAugust: 18,241 recordsAugSeptember: 2,852 recordsSepOctober: 187 recordsOctNovember: 17 recordsNovDecember: 2 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[25].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January17
February6,535
March51,224
April56,414
May41,672
June31,043
July27,185
August18,241
September2,852
October187
November17
December2

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Swallow-tailed Kite as present in 20 park units[26]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana[12]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Swallow-tailed Kite endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally and N3B (Vulnerable (breeding)) in the United States[2][6].
Where does the Swallow-tailed Kite live in the US?
NatureServe lists it as native in 11 US states and territories, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana and Texas[3].
What does the Swallow-tailed Kite eat?
It eats mostly insects, along with frogs, lizards, snakes and nestling birds[18]. One estimate gives 70% invertebrates, 20% reptiles and amphibians, and 10% fruit[17].
How big is the Swallow-tailed Kite?
A typical adult is about 58 cm (23 in) long[19] and weighs about 475 g[20].
When can you see the Swallow-tailed Kite in the US?
Spring migrants begin arriving in Florida in early to mid February[24]. GBIF records peak in March, April and May[25].

Facts and sources

  1. Swallow-tailed Kite is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Swallow-tailed Kite: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Swallow-tailed Kite as native in 11 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Swallow-tailed Kite from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 6 years 11 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) is a bird in the family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N3B (Vulnerable (breeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Swallow-tailed Kite is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 100,000 to 1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe ranks Swallow-tailed Kite as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin. NatureServe Explorer
  12. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Swallow-tailed Kite: Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  13. NatureServe state ranks for Swallow-tailed Kite (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  14. Habitat types NatureServe records for Swallow-tailed Kite: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Savanna, Herbaceous wetland, Forested wetland, Riparian, Scrub-shrub wetland. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on habitat for Swallow-tailed Kite. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% invertebrates, 20% reptiles and amphibians, 10% fruit. EltonTraits 1.0
  18. NatureServe notes on food for Swallow-tailed Kite. NatureServe Explorer
  19. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 58 cm (23 in). NatureServe Explorer
  20. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 475 g (16.8 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  21. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Swallow-tailed Kite. NatureServe Explorer
  22. NatureServe migration category for Swallow-tailed Kite: long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  23. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  24. NatureServe notes on migration for Swallow-tailed Kite. NatureServe Explorer
  25. GBIF observation records of Swallow-tailed Kite in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  26. NPSpecies park lists recording Swallow-tailed Kite as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.