A Swallow Tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus is seen gliding in the Dos Lagunas Natural Preserve, in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, in Petén, Guatemala. This bird species is a pernine raptor which breeds from the southeastern United States to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. Most North and Central American breeders winter in South America where the species is resident year round. The name is from the Ancient Greek Elanos for Kite, and Oides for Resembling. The Swallow Tailed Kite is largely associated with large tracts of wetland forests which accommodates the birds nesting habits. These birds are considered migratory raptors and during the spring months often move from areas in Central and South America to breed. Satellite-telemetry has allowed researchers to track movements of individual birds over the years and has yielded data that demonstrates some migration journeys longer than 10,000ÃâÃâÃâàmi 16,000ÃâÃâÃâàkm. The swallow-tailed kite feeds on smallÃâÃâÃâàreptiles, such as snakes and lizards. It may also feed on small amphibians such as frogs; largeÃâÃâÃâàinsects, such as grasshoppers, crickets; smallÃâÃâÃâàbirdsÃâÃâÃâàandÃâÃâÃâàeggs; and smallÃâÃâÃâàmammalsÃâÃâÃâàincludingÃâÃâÃâàbats. It has been observed to regularly consume fruit in Central America. It drinks by skimming the surface and collecting water in its beak. The bird usually does not break flight during feeding. According to the Biological Diversity in Guatemala, there are 750 especies of birds.
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