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

118 comments:

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

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  2. 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.

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    1. 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!

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

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    1. 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!

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

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  5. Hello,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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

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

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    1. 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!

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  12. ...he has a commanding presence.

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

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

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  14. 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

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    1. 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!

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

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

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

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

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

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    1. 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!

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

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  19. 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

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

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

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

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  21. 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! :)

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

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  22. What a striking bird Eileen! Thanks for sharing.
    Robin

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

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

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

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

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

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  26. Very fierce! Good one, Eileen!

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

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

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

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

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  29. What a beak!
    Great series of photo's.

    Thank you

    All the best Jan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  35. I wonder how that hooked beak helps to catch food?

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

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

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

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

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

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  38. 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 :)

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

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

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

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

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  41. Stunning photos ..lovely to see.
    Amanda xx

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

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  42. 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.

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

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

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

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  45. Great photos of a very interesting bird.

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

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  46. 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...

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

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  47. A beautiful bird and great photographic detail on the beak.

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

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

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

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

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

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  50. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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  53. Great photos of the small kite.

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

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  54. 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 !

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

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

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

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

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

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  58. 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!!!

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  59. Beautiful bird! You got some great photos.

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  60. 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:)

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

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  62. Wonderful photos!
    Hope you are having a great week!

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

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

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Have a happy day, Eileen

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