Difference between revisions of "Swallow-tailed kite"
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|subclass=Neornithes | |subclass=Neornithes | ||
|infraclass=Neoaves | |infraclass=Neoaves | ||
| − | |superorder= | + | |superorder= |
|order=Accipitriformes | |order=Accipitriformes | ||
| − | |suborder= | + | |suborder=Accipitres |
| − | |infraorder= | + | |infraorder= |
| − | |superfamily= | + | |superfamily=Accipitroidea |
|families= | |families= | ||
|family=Accipitridae | |family=Accipitridae | ||
| − | |subfamily= | + | |subfamily= |
|supertribe= | |supertribe= | ||
|tribe= | |tribe= | ||
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|species=E. forficatus | |species=E. forficatus | ||
|binomialname= | |binomialname= | ||
| − | |syn= | + | |syn=''Falco forficatus'' |
|sub= | |sub= | ||
|alt= | |alt= | ||
|regionimg= | |regionimg= | ||
|pop= | |pop= | ||
| − | |conservation= | + | |conservation=Least concern<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22695017/93484824</ref> |
}} | }} | ||
| + | The '''swallow-tailed kite''' (''Elanides forficatus'') is a species of [[bird of prey]] of the family Accipitridae, and the only species of the genus ''Elanoides''. It is found over much of the subtropical and tropical areas of the Americas. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Description== | ||
| + | The swallow-tailed kite has a body length of 19.3 to 25.6 inches, a wingspan of 44.9 to 50 inches, and weigh from 14.9 to 15.5 ounces. Females are slightly larger than males. In appearance the pointed wings and the long, deeply-forked tail make it resemble a large swallow. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The beak is black, the skin is dark blue gray, with a waxy appearance. The iris is red. Head, neck, underside, under wing coverts and leg feathers are white, contrasting with the upper part of the body, wings, and tail a bluish-black color, with the shoulder feathers to the upper wing coverts sometimes shimmering with a metallic purple, greenish or bronze colors. Legs and feet are light blue-gray, and rather small in size. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Subspecies=== | ||
| + | Two subspecies are recognized, distinguished by the coloration of the back plumage. The northern subspecies bears a purple sheen and longer tail feathers, while the southern subspecies bears greenish to bronze back feather sheen. | ||
| + | *''Elanoides forficatus forficatus''; southeastern coastal United States to northern Mexico and Yucatan. | ||
| + | *''Elanoides forficatus yetapa''; southern Mexico through Central America, south to eastern Bolivia, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <small><references/></small> | ||
[[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Kites]] | [[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Kites]] | ||
Revision as of 18:24, June 14, 2019
| Swallow-tailed kite | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Aves |
| Sub-class | Neornithes |
| Infra-class | Neoaves |
| Order Information | |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Sub-order | Accipitres |
| Family Information | |
| Superfamily | Accipitroidea |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Elanoides |
| Species Information | |
| Species | E. forficatus |
| Synonyms | Falco forficatus |
| Population statistics | |
| Conservation status | Least concern[1] |
The swallow-tailed kite (Elanides forficatus) is a species of bird of prey of the family Accipitridae, and the only species of the genus Elanoides. It is found over much of the subtropical and tropical areas of the Americas.
Description
The swallow-tailed kite has a body length of 19.3 to 25.6 inches, a wingspan of 44.9 to 50 inches, and weigh from 14.9 to 15.5 ounces. Females are slightly larger than males. In appearance the pointed wings and the long, deeply-forked tail make it resemble a large swallow.
The beak is black, the skin is dark blue gray, with a waxy appearance. The iris is red. Head, neck, underside, under wing coverts and leg feathers are white, contrasting with the upper part of the body, wings, and tail a bluish-black color, with the shoulder feathers to the upper wing coverts sometimes shimmering with a metallic purple, greenish or bronze colors. Legs and feet are light blue-gray, and rather small in size.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized, distinguished by the coloration of the back plumage. The northern subspecies bears a purple sheen and longer tail feathers, while the southern subspecies bears greenish to bronze back feather sheen.
- Elanoides forficatus forficatus; southeastern coastal United States to northern Mexico and Yucatan.
- Elanoides forficatus yetapa; southern Mexico through Central America, south to eastern Bolivia, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina.