Snail Kite: Species of bird
The snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) is a bird of prey.
It is in the family Accipitridae, which also includes the eagles, hawks, and Old World vultures.
| Snail Kite | |
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| Snail kite | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Subfamily: | Milvinae (disputed) |
| Genus: | Rostrhamus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rostrhamus sociabilis | |
Description
Snail kites are 36 to 48 cm (14 to 19 in) long with a 99–120 cm (39–47 in) wingspan. They weigh from 300 to 570 grams (11 to 20 oz).
They have long, broad, and rounded wings. Its tail is long with a white rump. The dark, deeply hooked beak measures 2.9–4 cm (1.1–1.6 in).
It flies slowly with its head facing downwards to see its prey. It mostly eats large apple snails.
The snail kite lives in tropical South America, the Caribbean, and central and southern Florida in the United States. It nests in a bush or on the ground and lays 3–4 eggs.
References
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