Hook-billed Kite (us-RGV)
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Contents |
Regional Information
Range, Abundance, and Seasonal Variations
The known range is from Santa Ana westward to just below Falcon Dam and all within a mile or so corridor along the Rio Grande [1]. Rarely seen east of Bentson State Park. The snail Rabdotus alternatus is the only known prey item in its Texas range.
Directions and Maps
Hook-billed Kite is generally scarce within the Rio Grande Valley and most birders are disappointed when they look for it. Check for current sightings or try Santa Ana NWR near the Pintail Lakes or from the levee, especially early in the morning, or Bentsen State Park from the Hawk Tower.
General Information
Size
Length: ??cm (??in), Wingspan: ??cm (??in)
Field Marks
Medium-sized hawk Broad, rounded wings Large, hooked beak. Male: Gray head and upperparts, gray underparts with fine white bars, primaries heavily barred black and white, dark secondaries, pale eye. Female: Dark head and neck, rufous collar, brown and white barred underparts, primaries and outer secondaries barred black and white, rufous wash on upper surface of primaries, pale eye. Immature: Similar to Female. White collar, underparts less heavily marked than female, dark eye.
Similar species
Black Hawk-Eagle, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and Gray-headed Kite. Adult Gray Hawk is similar to adult male Hook-billed Kite but Gray Hawk has a smaller bill and paler underwings without the boldly barred primaries. Red-shouldered Hawk has crescent-shaped light patch in the wing. Broad-winged Hawk is similar to female and immature plumages but has a smaller beak, lacks collar, and has more pointed wingtips. Immature accipiters have shorter wings.
Sounds
Feeding & Behavior
Eats snails.
Habitat & Nesting
Range
From Southern U.S. to Northern Argentina. U.S. range restricted to southern Texas.
Resources
