UPDATE: Based on some research that I was doing for Tiffany about kites, I realized that I probably misinterpreted the picture of two kites in a scuffle. Kites will frequently transfer food in the air, so it’s quite likely that the two kites were not fighting. Here is a fantastic picture of two kites passing a vole.
In Half Moon Bay, there is a section of preserved land south of Poplar Beach that is the best spot for finding raptors. There are hawks, there are kestrals, and there are kites. For months, I have been trying to get a good picture of a White-Tailed Kite. Success:
I was very lucky to get close to him. They typically take off before I can get within 50 feet. This kite was sitting in some bushes in the center of the field. I like to look at the yellow surrounding his beak and his raccoon eyes.
Kites usually hang out on the tops of trees. When I’m looking for raptors, I always up.
I have spent hours watching them flying around.
Notice the black spots underneath their wings. This is a very useful way to quickly identify kites.
I can’t tell what this one has in his mouth. Kites eat rodents and insects.
In this picture, he reminds me of a mythical griffin.
The kites spend time hunting with other kites.
These guys seem to have gotten in a scuffle. The picture is a bit fuzzy, but the event was quite epic!
This picture shows the size comparison between a hawk and the kite. I’m honestly not sure if this is a red-tailed hawk or another type of hawk. We have many red-tailed hawks and I’m not yet familiar enough with hawks to identify their backs.
I often hear the kites before I see them. They make a quiet “kee” noise. It’s very soothing.
WOW. My first visit to this new site, and it’s an eye-popping impressive spectacle! Nice work!
Thanks!
Love these photos!!! Amazing. I’ve never seen a white tailed kike and am enthralled. So cool.
They are such amazing birds, Tiffany. And so quiet, other than the “kee” noise. Sometimes when I’m walking in between the trees, they’ll take off and all you hear is the tree branch rustling.
Great pictures — the kites definitely look other worldly. So beautiful!
I REALLY want to see one! I wonder where I could catch a glimpse here – I’m in their range …
Wow, amazing. Those kites are on my list of not yet seen birds. That white rump on that hawk has to mean something……Northern Harrier comes to my mind, but I am thinking there is at least one other western raptor with a white rump…….I am going to have to make some time to look it up.
Thanks Mary!
Tiffany, I said all this is an email to you, but in case anyone else is looking for help finding kites, it’s best to look in open fields that are surrounded by forest. Kites like to hang out on the tops of trees and they nest in those trees starting in February.
Kathy, any help would be appreciated. We are supposed to have Northern Harriers around here, but I’ve never seen one. I’ve been so busy trying to figure out the difference between the gulls, I haven’t started studying the raptors.