Monday, April 10, 2017

Snail Kite

Hello,

I never got around to sharing this Florida lifer, the Snail Kite. I was able to see this raptor a few times at the Circle B Reserve in Lakeland Florida.

 The Snail Kite is a bird of prey and is included in the group with the Eagles, Hawks and old World Vultures.


The Snail Kite has a dark deeply hooked beak.


The female has dark upperparts and streaked pale underparts.


I believe the Snail Kite migrates in the winter, breeds in the Caribbean, South American and Southern Florida.




Thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

My list of memes for today, I hope to see you there. Thanks to both of the host below.

Thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes
Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday

117 comments:

Lili Sulastri said...

Beautiful birds.

Gordon said...

Great shots of the Snail Kite Eileen , that is one of the birds that eluded me whenever I visited Florida. I saw the Swallowtail a few times , but not the Snail.
Take care Gordon.
PS. I've added a thumbnail link from my blogto yours.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
...should that duck be worried??? &*> YAM xx

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Belas fotografias, que maravilha.
Um abraço e boa semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados

Marit said...

Hello,

Beautiful photos! I love The Snail Kite. Most of the birds here migrate too. I can understand them :)
Happy Monday!

chica said...

Lindas fotos e desejo uma semana santa linda pra ti e teus! bjs, chica

Sussi said...

beautiful bird!

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Hi friend!!! Nice pictures of this beautiful raptor.. Congrats and happy week..

DeniseinVA said...

Great shots of the Snail Shrike Eileen. He is a real beauty. Enjoy your week :)

Mersad said...

A very beautiful looking bird. Love your images as always.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Hootin Anni said...

Awesome....I'd still be peeing my pants if I had been the one to see this kite!!

Tom said...

...he has a commanding presence.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you, Tom! Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Anni, I was thrilled to see the Snail Kite. Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mersad, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Denise, thanks so much for the nice comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Ana, thanks so much for your visit and comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sussi, thanks so much for the comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Chica, I always appreciate your comments and visits. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the nice comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment! Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Yam, the moorhen was a little close. It should be worried. Thanks for the visit and comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Gordon, I was thrilled to see the Snail Kite. The Swallowtail is a beautiful bird too. Thanks for the comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Lili, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

cool looking bird

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How beautiful! He really blends in to his environment, doesn't he? We finally got to hike yesterday! It was fabulous! I got some critter pics! heehee! Hugs, Diane

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mac, thanks so much for the comment. Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Diane, so glad you were able to take a hike with hubby. I went and checked out your hike photos, very nice! Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Liz said...

What a fabulous bird of prey! That beak looks dangerous!

Christine said...

Hello Eileen! Such a fearless looking bird with an awesome curved beak! Wonderful photos!
Have a great week!

magnoliasntea said...

Great photos, Eileen. I don't like that they eat other birds, but nobody asked me, lol.
Have a great day!

MadSnapper said...

he is truly a beautiful bird.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Liz, it is a cool bird of prey. Thanks for the visit and comment! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Christine, thanks for the comment. I always appreciate your visits. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Jo said...

Hi Eileen, a most interesting bird which I've never even heard of. The images are good and its jis reminds me of our goshawks. Thanks for sharing. Jo

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

That is an interesting name for that bird. Great photos.
Andrea

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I feel sorry for the other birds too. But, I guess they all have to eat. Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Sandra, Yes, he is beautiful. Thanks for the comment! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jo, I enjoyed seeing this new bird in Florida. Thanks so much for the nice comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Andrea, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Linda said...

Beautiful photos, Eileen, I have never seen a snail kite before. It is a gorgeous and majestic bird! I love your posts and photos, thank you so much for sharing. Enjoy your week! :)

Cat Lover said...

What a striking bird Eileen! Thanks for sharing.
Robin

Cloudia said...

Wow! So cool Eileen!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Cloudia! Thanks so much for the comment! Have a happy day and week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Linda, thank you for the nice comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

William Kendall said...

What a beautiful bird!

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't want to be on the BUSINESS end of that beak! ;-)

RedPat said...

Very fierce! Good one, Eileen!

rupam sarma said...

Awesome , Great clicks.

Linda W. said...

Looks like a smaller version of a hawk. Very interesting bird and glad you found another lifer.

Lowcarb team member said...

What a beak!
Great series of photo's.

Thank you

All the best Jan

Elizabeth Edwards said...

new 2 me, gorgeous colors. so nice. happy week!! ( ;

HappyK said...

I've missed seeing all your critter pictures while I've been on my blog break. Nice to get back again.

Lois said...

A very handsome bird!

Anonymous said...

It looks to me that this impressive bird knew it was being photographed

Andrea said...

I can't imagine how it got that name! It looks stern too!

The Yum List said...

I wonder how that hooked beak helps to catch food?

Lynne said...

Quite pretty except for the beak . . .
I wouldn't want to be caught there!

Anu said...

Hello Eileen! Great photos. It is a very interesting bird. Thank you for sharing.

Noushka said...

Oh WOW!!
I bet you were particularly thrilled with this encounter, Eileen!
Fantastic bird I don't see very often in blogs.
Congratulations, keep well and enjoy yourself :)

Bob Bushell said...

Wow, I do think, wow. Lovely raptor, brilliant Eileen.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Noushka, I was thrilled to see this Kite. Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Bob, Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Thank you for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, it is always great seeing new birds. Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jan, Thank you for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Beth, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, so glad to see you back! Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Lois, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I have to research the name more. Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the beak does look mean! Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment. Have a happy day!

Birgitta said...

Great photos!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Birgitta, thanks so much for the comment. Enjoy your day and week ahead!

Amanda Peters said...

Stunning photos ..lovely to see.
Amanda xx

Phil Slade said...

That's a super bird Eileen. You really captured that uniquely evolved bill. It's a bird I would love to see. Enjoy the rest of your week.

Our photos said...

Wonderful photos !

Polly said...

What a handsome bird and lovely photos. I also like your previous post - Saturdays Critters.

mick said...

Great photos of a very interesting bird.

Pat Tillett said...

Great photos Eileen! There is a kite that comes by almost everyday. He "hovers" over our yard for a few seconds, and then moves on. When I first saw the title of this post. I was expecting to see a kite that looked like a snail...

Michelle said...

A beautiful bird and great photographic detail on the beak.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful captures ... we have seen them but never got a picture.

Rose said...

Wow, it sure does have a hooked bill...I even noticed that before I read your words. You sure got some nice captures.

Rambling Woods said...

Another bird I have never heard of. Really impressive bill on that bird.. I was able to delete the extra link and change the name...Have a Happy Easter Eileen...Michelle

Sue (this n that) said...

Such an amazing bird... that hooked beak! Your photos are great Eileen - a real treat :D)

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

MArvellous shots of the this bird and they have fabulous beaks for the job in hand.

Country Gal said...

Catching up here been outside in the beautiful spring weather we have been having . WOW ! lovely photos beautiful prey bird . Thanks for sharing , have a good week !

Les Fous du Cap said...

Le bec de cet oiseau est impressionnant ;-)
Céline & Philippe

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Polly, thanks so much for the nice comment and visits. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mick, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat, wow I would be thrilled to see this bird hovering over my yard. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Michelle, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, It is great just to see them! Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Rose, thank you for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks, Michelle. I really goofed up! Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sue, that beak is impressive. Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Margaret, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Nora, these birds may only been seen in the south. Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Linda, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, enjoy the great weather. Thanks so much for the nice comment and visit. Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Have a happy day!

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Eileen,
such a fabulous raptor. You catched him very well.
Best, Synnöve

Debbie said...

a very cool bird - i don't think i have ever seen one. to me, it looks much like a hawk and that hooked beak will surely help out as he attacks his prey. nice images eileen, many thanks for sharing this "new to me" bird!!!

A Colorful World said...

Beautiful bird! You got some great photos.

Poppy said...

A beautiful bird, Eileen, and you managed to get amazing shots of it. Thanks for the info; I'm learning quite a bit about these feathered lovelies.

Have a wonderful day!
Poppy:)

NatureFootstep said...

such a fine raptor. Love the coloring on the head as well as the body. Thanks for sharing :)

Lea said...

Wonderful photos!
Hope you are having a great week!

Indah Nuria Savitri said...

Happy easter to you, EIleen. And wonderful birds indeed..

Maggee said...

How very neat! Have never seen any Kite pictures in blogland. You got some great shots!

Happy Monday!

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