White-tailed Kite
Elanus leucurus
White-tailed Kites in Oregon, like elsewhere in their range, are distinctive raptors. Male and female White-tailed Kites are very similar in appearance, making it challenging to differentiate them based solely on visual cues.
General Appearance of Adult White-tailed Kites (Male and Female):
Size and Shape: They are small to medium-sized raptors with long, pointed wings and a long, entirely white tail. When perched, they can appear somewhat big-headed with a slender body.
Coloration:
Underparts: Entirely clean white.
Upperparts: Light gray on the back.
Shoulder Patches: Prominent black patches at the bend of the wings (hence their former name, "Black-shouldered Kite").
Eyes: Adults have striking red eyes (though juveniles have yellow eyes that change with maturity). They often have a subtle black mask around the eyes.
In Flight: When in flight, a characteristic black spot can be seen at the bend of the underside of the wing. Their wing and tail shape help them maintain a hovering position in the air, a distinctive hunting behavior known as "kiting."
Legs and Toes: Yellow legs that are short, with stout toes.
Subtle Differences (Difficult to Observe in the Field):
Dorsal Coloration: Some sources suggest that **females may have a slightly darker gray back** compared to males, whose upperparts might be a paler gray with a whiter head. However, this difference is often marginal and not a reliable identification feature in the field.
Size: While generally similar in size, in many raptor species, females tend to be slightly larger than males. However, for White-tailed Kites, the size difference is minimal and often not discernible unless comparing individuals side-by-side. Both sexes typically fall within the following ranges:
Length: 12.5 - 15.0 inches (32-38 cm)
Wingspan: 39 - 43.3 inches (99-110 cm)
Weight: 10.8 - 12.2 oz (300-360 g)
Juvenile White-tailed Kites:
Juveniles are more easily distinguished from adults. They have:
Yellow eyes (transitioning to red with age).
White-tipped feathers on their back.
Buffy streaks on their breast and tail.
A dark band around the tip of the tail.
A brownish head, nape, and back.
A rusty band across the breast.
In Oregon, White-tailed Kites are found in low elevation grasslands, agricultural areas, wetlands, and savannas, where they specialize in hunting small rodents.
General Appearance of Adult White-tailed Kites (Male and Female):
Size and Shape: They are small to medium-sized raptors with long, pointed wings and a long, entirely white tail. When perched, they can appear somewhat big-headed with a slender body.
Coloration:
Underparts: Entirely clean white.
Upperparts: Light gray on the back.
Shoulder Patches: Prominent black patches at the bend of the wings (hence their former name, "Black-shouldered Kite").
Eyes: Adults have striking red eyes (though juveniles have yellow eyes that change with maturity). They often have a subtle black mask around the eyes.
In Flight: When in flight, a characteristic black spot can be seen at the bend of the underside of the wing. Their wing and tail shape help them maintain a hovering position in the air, a distinctive hunting behavior known as "kiting."
Legs and Toes: Yellow legs that are short, with stout toes.
Subtle Differences (Difficult to Observe in the Field):
Dorsal Coloration: Some sources suggest that **females may have a slightly darker gray back** compared to males, whose upperparts might be a paler gray with a whiter head. However, this difference is often marginal and not a reliable identification feature in the field.
Size: While generally similar in size, in many raptor species, females tend to be slightly larger than males. However, for White-tailed Kites, the size difference is minimal and often not discernible unless comparing individuals side-by-side. Both sexes typically fall within the following ranges:
Length: 12.5 - 15.0 inches (32-38 cm)
Wingspan: 39 - 43.3 inches (99-110 cm)
Weight: 10.8 - 12.2 oz (300-360 g)
Juvenile White-tailed Kites:
Juveniles are more easily distinguished from adults. They have:
Yellow eyes (transitioning to red with age).
White-tipped feathers on their back.
Buffy streaks on their breast and tail.
A dark band around the tip of the tail.
A brownish head, nape, and back.
A rusty band across the breast.
In Oregon, White-tailed Kites are found in low elevation grasslands, agricultural areas, wetlands, and savannas, where they specialize in hunting small rodents.