White-tailed Kite
The White-tailed Kite, with its striking white plumage and graceful flight, hovers with agility over grasslands. Renowned for elegant aerial courtship displays, it plays a vital role in controlling rodent populations, showcasing nature's balance in its open landscape habitats.
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Increasing
Population Trend
Distribution Range of the White-tailed Kite
Elanus leucurus, commonly known as the White-tailed Kite, is native to the Americas. Its geographical distribution spans from the southern United States through Central America and extends into parts of South America. Notably, it is found in the western and southern United States, Mexico, as well as in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
White-tailed Kite's Habitat
Environmental Conditions
The White-tailed Kite typically inhabits open areas with scattered trees, such as savannas, grasslands, and cultivated lands. It favors environments with moderate to dry climates, often avoiding densely forested regions. Suitable habitats include river valleys, marshes, and areas adjacent to agricultural fields.
Ecological Niche
Elanus leucurus primarily preys on small mammals, especially rodents, which it hunts from perches or while hovering in the air. It plays a role in controlling rodent populations in its ecosystem. Its nesting sites are usually located in trees or tall shrubs, and it requires environments that provide both hunting grounds and suitable structures for nesting.
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