NESTING OR BEDDING 



Kites normally nest in loose aggregations, 

 with 150 m or less between nests (Howell 1932, 

 Bent 1937, Stieglitz and Thompson 1967). They 

 often nest among or near other colonial nesters 

 such as herons and egrets (Ardeidae) and An- 

 hingas (Anhtnga anhinga). 



Nests are usually 1 to 3 m above the water in 

 low trees or shrubs, although occasionally sawgrass 

 or cattails are used for support (Howell 1932, 

 Stieghtz and Thompson 1967, Sykes 1976). In 

 the Loxahatchee marshes, nests are built in small 

 cypress trees {Taxodium sp.) 2 to 3 m above the 

 surface. 



The nest is loose and bulky, 30 to 38 cm in 

 diameter, and 20 to 30 cm deep. It is built of 

 twigs and Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) 

 and lined with green grasses and vines (Bent 

 1937). 



RITUAL REQUIREMENTS 



An important part of the courtship display 

 consists of the male carrying a small twig in his 

 beak while flying and making a series of swooping 

 dives wdth the wings folded (Stieglitz and Thomp- 

 son 1967). 



OTHER CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL 

 REQUIREMENTS 



Adequate water levels are essential, as snail 

 populations are drastically reduced when the 

 marsh dries. 



POPULATION NUMBERS AND TRENDS 



Snail kite numbers have dropped drastically. 

 Bent (1937) stated that kites were common in 

 1909, but that population levels had declined 

 sharply by 1937, due to the draining of the Ever- 

 glades. Estimates for 1973 were slightly over 100 

 individuals (Sykes 1979). 



The total population of Florida Everglade 

 kites has probably averaged close to 100 birds for 

 the past 4 to 5 years, with 80% of the reproduc- 

 tion occurring on the southwest side of Lake 

 Okeechobee (T. Martin personal communication). 

 Seventeen young were fledged from 7 of 9 

 nests in 1968 (U.S. Department of the Interior 

 1973). 



REPRODUCTION 



The breeding season is variable and probably 

 correlated vwth snail availability, rainfall, and/or 

 temperature; generally, from February to June 



(Howell 1932, Bent 1937). Average clutch size is 

 two to four. Eggs are oval or elliptical and smooth, 

 colored dull white with brown mottling (Bent 

 1937); average size is 44.2 by 36.2 mm (Bent 

 1937). 



The male builds the nest, and both sexes incu- 

 bate eggs and assist in rearing young (Bent 1937). 



Courtship displays consist of soaring about 

 150 m above the marsh, folding the wings for sud- 

 den short dips, stretching the legs while diving as 

 if to grapple, somersaulting while diving, and 

 stick-carrying (Stieghtz and Thompson 1967). 



MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION 



In a 2-year habitat management study by 

 Martin and Doebel (1973), water levels were raised 

 on a 142-ha site in the Loxahatchee National 

 Wildlife Refuge; plant density was controlled and 

 snails were stocked. The first two techniques were 

 successful, but stocking of snails had little effect 

 on population level. Other methods will be imple- 

 mented in a projected second experiment. Arti- 

 ficial nesting platforms have been successfully 

 used to support nests that would otherwise be 

 subject to damage from high winds or heavy 

 rains (Sykes and Chandler 1974). 



Kite response to management efforts was 

 rapid and extremely favorable. Martin and Doe- 

 bel (1973) concluded that continued research in- 

 to life history of both snail and kite is critical to 

 management success. They believe the kite can re- 

 main a part of our natural fauna only through 

 sound management practices and maintenance of 

 natural habitats. The American Ornithologists' 

 Union (1975) states that the only solution for 

 saving the kite is a very expensive land-aquisition 

 program. Sykes (1979) makes several recommen- 

 dations for preservation of the Everglade kite. 

 These include purchasing and managing suitable 

 kite habitat, providing protection during the 

 hunting season, establishing a 0.4 km buffer zone 

 closed to entry around nesting areas, maintaining 

 adequate surface water in the kite areas, and re- 

 searching both kite and apple snail biology. 



Critical habitat has been designated (42 FR 

 47841, 22 September 1977) as parts of Dade, 

 Broward, and Palm Beach counties and the west- 

 em shore of Lake Okeechobee in Glades County. 



AUTHORITIES 



Thomas Martin 



Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge 



Route l,Box 278 



Delray Beach, FL 33444 



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