White-tailed Kite

Description:

It usually visit my neighborhood but it is the first time I am able to get this close (I got to 25 meters of distance). I posted a picture that many people may dislike, as a proof of the rarely seen bird hunting behaviour of the kite (probably the prey was a young Passerine). The White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) is an elanid kite of genus Elanus found in western North America and parts of South America. It occurs in lowlands and middle elevations, frequenting open savannas, pastures and agricultural areas with scattered trees, where it perches on the tops of trees or on powerlines. Feeds mainly on small mammals, lizards, and insects, and takes birds very rarely. Often hunts by flying slowly at heights of 10-20 m, or hovering against the wind, then dropping slowly to the ground with wings stretched upward and feet dangling to seize prey.