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Field Guide for all the Birds of North America

Kites

Milan

Accipitridae

Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities

North American Bird Search Box

There are five types of kites living in North America. All five species are found in the southern states and also in Mexico. These smaller sized raptors acquire their names because of their ability to use the wind currents to their advantage, as they soar while hunting for prey.

The Swallow-tailed Kite is the largest member of the group and the Mississippi Kite is the smallest and is found in the most northern range in the eastern parts of the continent. The White-tailed Kite is seen across the southern USA, from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast and has the most northern range in the western parts of North America. The Snail Kite lives in a small region of the southern parts of Florida. Lastly, the Hook-billed Kite is found in the extreme southern portion of Texas and into Mexico.

Click on bird images or names to see pictures of the Kites seen in North America

Black Kite

Double-toothed Kite

Hook-billed Kite

Mississippi Kite

Snail Kite

Swallow-tailed Kite

White-tailed Kite

References to Other Bird Sites:

Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.

ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.

I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.

Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB