FLORIDA EVERGLADE KITE Rosthrhamus sociabilis plumbeus (Ridgway) 



(FLORIDA SNAIL KITE) 



Order: FALCONIFORMES Family: ACCEPITRIDAE 



Distinguishing cgaracteristics : Very similar to marsh hawk but without wavering 

 tilting flight. Adult male slate gray with black head and wing tips, white patch at 

 base of square tail and light gray tail tip; legs and eyes red; bill extremely 

 hooked. Female and immature heavily streaked with dark lines on buffy body, a white 

 line over eye and a white tail patch. Distinguished from the Mexican form of the same 

 species by smaller size and from the Cuban race by smaller bill. 



Present distribution : Fresh water marshes of southern Florida; from Lake Okeechobee 

 south through the three Conservation Areas and into the northern part of the Everglades 

 National Park . Conservation Area 1 is the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge . 



Former distribution : Locally in fresh-water marshes in all of peninsular Florida. 



Status : Jeopardized because of the very small population and increasingly limited 

 amount of fresh marsh with sufficient water to insure an adequate supply of snails 

 on which it depends for food . 



Estimated numbers ; Approximately 120 in 1969. Larger number than in previous 

 years probably due to more complete coverage . 



Breeding rate in the wild : Normally lays 2 to 3 eggs a year in nest on low tree or 

 bush in fresh marsh. In 1968, 17 young were fledged from 7 of 9 known nests which 

 is 2.4 young per successful nest. Of the two unsuccessful nests, one was destroyed 

 by a marsh fire and the eggs did not hatch in the other nest that was located near a 

 heavily used airboat trail. 



Reasons for decline : Original population severely reduced by shooting along with 

 other hawks, by duck hunters, together with declining habitat. Some shooting still 

 continues and may be an important mortality factor. Drainage of marshes for agri- 

 culture and residential use is definitely a serious hazard. Drought and fire have 

 combined with drainage of marsh habitat to reduce populations of the single species 

 of large snail, Pomacea paludosa Say, on which the kites depend for food. 



Protective measures already taken : Educational programs by Florida and National 

 Audubon Societies and Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife to discourage indiscrim- 

 inate shooting and publicize the fact that these birds need protection. Development 

 and patrolling of sanctuaries on Lake Okeechobee by National Audubon Society. 

 Portion of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge where kites are known to nest 

 closed to entry and patrolled during nesting seasons by Bureau of Sport Fisheries and 

 Wildlife. Water-hyacinth control to encourage snails practiced on Loxahatchee Refuge. 

 Field investigations under way to determine critical factors and effective conservation 

 measures. South American snail kites, one of four subspecies of Everglade kite, are 



120 



