Saw a kite today

[RobertN]

I had the great opportunity to see a kite today, a Black-shouldered Kite(Elanus caerulus).

These are the coolest birds to watch! They can actually hover, kinda like a hummingbird, although they are much larger with a 39" wing span.

They are in other parts of the US also; anyone else seen any of these, or thier relatives?

 

[polecat]

Where are the action pics dude???? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RobertN]

I was driving when I saw it... and all the camera's were at home put away /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I know, I wish I could have got a few pictures /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[DAP]

You are a lucky man. That fella is mostly a western species here in the states, prolly nil sitings here in the NE. I'd have to go west to add it to my list.

As for hovering, alot of other raptors hover, most notoriously are the Kestrels. I've even seen a Merlin hover too.

Nothing can outfly the hummingbirds though. They are tenacious, fearless and will go after anything during nesting.

 

[Chuck52]

Saw a scissor-tail kite on an estuary tour in Apalachicola, Florida just last Tuesday. Beautiful, graceful bird.

Chuck

 

[Slamfire]

My wife and kids had a name for the peregrine falcon that used to sit on the service pole watchin' the empty field next of our house in CA. Then they built a shoppin' center in it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif There in rural Los Angeles County (sounds like an oxymoron don't it) red tails were the most common hawks. She worried they'd get her teacup chihuahuas.