Feeding Behavior

Hunts by gliding slowly and low over marsh, dropping to pick up snail with one foot from surface of water or plants. Sometimes perches low, scanning surrounding area for snails, then flies to catch one. Kite flies to perch, holds snail with one foot while extracting snail from shell with long, curved upper mandible of bill.

Eggs

Currently in Florida, usually 2-3. Formerly may have laid more eggs there, regularly 4, rarely 5-6; smaller clutches today may be response to lowered food supply. Eggs white, marked with brown. Incubation is by both parents, 26-28 days. Young: Both parents feed the young at first, bringing them snails. After 3-6 weeks, one parent (either one) usually departs, may find another mate and nest again. Remaining parent cares for young until they are 9-11 weeks old. Young may climb out of nest at 4-5 weeks, can fly well at 6-7 weeks.

Young

Both parents feed the young at first, bringing them snails. After 3-6 weeks, one parent (either one) usually departs, may find another mate and nest again. Remaining parent cares for young until they are 9-11 weeks old. Young may climb out of nest at 4-5 weeks, can fly well at 6-7 weeks.

Diet

Large snails. Under normal conditions, Florida birds live almost entirely on large apple snails (genus Pomacea). When the snails become scarce, as during drought, the kites may eat many small turtles. Also rarely eat small snails, rodents, crabs.

Nesting

Usually nests in loose colonies. In courtship, male flies up and dives short distance repeatedly near female; flies with exaggerated deep wingbeats. Male may feed snails to female. Nest site is over water in shrub or low tree, sometimes in cattails or sawgrass, usually 3-15' above water, rarely up to 30' or higher. Nest (built mostly by male) is bulky platform of sticks and twigs, lined with vines and weeds.