Swallow-tailed Kites, March 5, 2022. Marc Holtsberg, photographer
A big yay and thank you to Marc Holtsberg. He photographed this Swallow-tailed Kite perched in Wildewood Springs Saturday morning. Just getting a glimpse of one in aerial display is rare.
All About Birds says,
The lilting Swallow-tailed Kite has been called the 'coolest bird on the planet.' With its deeply forked tail and bold black-and-white plumage, it is unmistakable in the skies above swamps of the Southeast. Flying with barely a wingbeat and maneuvering with twists of its incredible tail, it chases dragonflies or plucks frogs, lizards, snakes, and nestling birds from tree branches.
Here is a 47 second video of a Swallow-tailed Kite in flight. Their call sounds like this.
