White-tailed Kite Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesWhite-tailed Kite
Adult
Small hawk with narrow, pointed wings and long tail. Adults in flight are white below with black primaries and a dark spot on the "wrists."
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 15, 2017Adult
Small hawk that is pale gray above with black shoulders and a white head.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 21, 2018Adult
Characteristic hunting behavior involves turning into wind and flapping in order to hover in place while scanning the ground.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 01, 1995Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles have a cinnamon wash on the breast and crown. Like adults they have a white face and dark shoulders.
© Garrett Lau / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 22, 2019Adult
Note dark patch on shoulder, dark eyes, and white underparts.
© Gregory Griffith / Macaulay LibraryDecember 01, 1994Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Hovers or "kites" above the ground watching for prey. Once located it dives straight down, grabbing prey (usually small mammals) with its talons.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 10, 2020Juvenile
Juveniles have a mottled brown back and a cinnamon wash on the breast and crown. Note dark shoulder and white face.
© Judi Hwa / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 17, 2016Adult
Perches on exposed branches with a good view of the surroundings. Note white underparts and head.
© Carlos Echeverría / Macaulay LibraryPetén, October 31, 2014Adult
During the nonbreeding season often roosts with other White-tailed Kites.
© Ariel Cabrera Foix / Macaulay LibraryRegión Metropolitana de Santiago, June 21, 2011Habitat
Found in savanna, open woodlands, marshes, desert grasslands, partially cleared lands, and cultivated fields.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 06, 2017Similar SpeciesMississippi Kite
Adult
In flight, Mississippi Kites have a black tail not a white tail like White-tailed Kites.
© Ashley Bradford / Macaulay LibraryVirginia, August 27, 2016Similar SpeciesMississippi Kite
Adult
Mississippi Kites are duller gray with a black tail unlike the White-tailed Kite's white head and tail.
© Chris Davis / Macaulay LibraryTexas, June 12, 2017Similar SpeciesSwallow-tailed Kite
Adult
Swallow-tailed Kites can be separated from White-tailed Kites by their black primaries and secondaries and their black forked tail.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 03, 2014Similar SpeciesSwallow-tailed Kite
Adult
Perched Swallow-tailed Kites look taller and slimmer than White-tailed Kites. They also have a darker black back and wings.
© Romel Romero / Macaulay LibraryComayagua, February 19, 2017Similar SpeciesWhite-tailed Hawk
Adult light morph
White-tailed Hawks are larger and have a black band on their tail that White-tailed Hawks don't have. They also have a dark border along the wings.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryTexas, November 12, 2011Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Hawks, Eagles, and Kites(Order: Accipitriformes, Family: Accipitridae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.