Snail Kites

Snail kites inhabit marsh habitats in both the Everglades of south Florida and shorelines of lakes in central Florida. They frequently can be seen slowly flying along the shorelines seeking their primary food item, the apple snail. At other times, you may see a kite perched on a clump of cattail or in a willow tree. During droughts, kites may disperse from their traditional range in the Everglades and larger lakes from Lake Okeechobee north to Lake Tohopekaliga and show up at smaller lakes and marshes throughout south and central Florida. Snail kites nest during February to August in Florida. During the nonbreeding season, kites may form large communal roosts in both cattail and willow stands where they can be seen flying into the site 1-2 hours before sunset.

 

It is along the margins of Lakes Okeechobee, Kissimmee and Tohopekaliga where most boaters or anglers may see a snail kite.

 

I found this female in Osceola County, Florida on Lake Kissimmee.

 

 

Done