Biodiversity
White-tailed Kite
Elanus leucurus | Vieillot, 1818
Characterization: Medium-size species measuring about 35 cm in length. It has long wings and tails, light gray upper parts like a seagull, the upper end of the wings have a large black spot and the sides of its tail are white. Young individuals are striated and their backs are brown.
Distribution: From North and Central Americas to Argentina and Chile, and throughout Brazil.
Habitat: Agricultural areas and fielded areas within cities.
Habits: A diurnal species, this bird usually hunts sifting against the wind, examining the soil from a height of some 30 meters, keeping its wings very high and its feet hanging with closed fingers. It is migratory, going through the Pantanal and heading for the north of the continent.
Diet: Carnivorous, feeding on small mammals, lizards, and insects.
Breeding: Male and female cooperate in preparing the nest, built on top of trees and lined with grass, where the bird lays 3-5 eggs. It also uses nests other birds have abandoned.
In the UFRA area: This species of bird is little frequent in the areas studied, as it was spotted only 4 times. It had a medium spatial distribution, having been seen in organic sugarcane fields, in exotic forests, and in forests in spontaneous regeneration