ChristinaLEvans
Swallow-tailed Kite ready for take off
Though I was very lucky with this species in north Pasco County last summer, I really wanted some better photos from the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, since they nest there and are very commonly seen soaring gracefully about as they hunt in the summer.
Last week's camping trip provided a great opportunity on two different mornings with kites that roosted overnight in trees not very far from the campground. This bird preened and posed for well over an hour before heading out for the day.
An interesting behavior that I saw with two different kites, including this one, was regurgitation of small dark bits in stringy liquid (Yes, I got photos!). Assuming that was the undigestible parts of prey items and that they empty their crops before going out to hunt. I knew about and have seen owl pellets, but never really thought about this process that occurs in all raptors.
Swallow-tailed Kite ready for take off
Though I was very lucky with this species in north Pasco County last summer, I really wanted some better photos from the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, since they nest there and are very commonly seen soaring gracefully about as they hunt in the summer.
Last week's camping trip provided a great opportunity on two different mornings with kites that roosted overnight in trees not very far from the campground. This bird preened and posed for well over an hour before heading out for the day.
An interesting behavior that I saw with two different kites, including this one, was regurgitation of small dark bits in stringy liquid (Yes, I got photos!). Assuming that was the undigestible parts of prey items and that they empty their crops before going out to hunt. I knew about and have seen owl pellets, but never really thought about this process that occurs in all raptors.