Snail Kite — Photo: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0

Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks

Snail Kite

Rostrhamus sociabilis

LCLeast Concern

Family: Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks (Accipitridae)
Order: Accipitriformes

Overview

The snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) is a bird of prey within the family Accipitridae, which also includes the eagles, hawks, and Old World vultures. Its relative, the slender-billed kite, is now again placed in Helicolestes, making the genus Rostrhamus monotypic. Usually, it is placed in the Milvine kites, but the validity of that grouping is under investigation.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to see it

Destination guides featuring this bird

Everglades National Park

United States Everglades National Park Subtropical wetlands with wading birds and Florida specialities.

JJanuary: Best
FFebruary: Best
MMarch: Best
AApril: Best
MMay: Poor or no data
JJune: Poor or no data
JJuly: Poor or no data
AAugust: Poor or no data
SSeptember: Poor or no data
OOctober: Poor or no data
NNovember: Good
DDecember: Best

Range and habitat

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.