![]() ![]() The ranges of the endangered Wood Stork and Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow overlap the range of the Snail Kite. Shifts in distribution can be short-term, seasonal, or long-term. Although Snail Kites in Florida are not migratory, they are nomadic in response to water depths, hydroperiod, food availability, and other changes in habitat. Disposal of domestic sewage through septic tanks and runoff of nutrient-laden water from agricultural lands degrade the water quality and promote dense growth of exotic and invasive plants such as cattail, water lettuce, water hyacinth, and hydrilla, thereby reducing the ability of Snail Kites to locate apple snails. Nearly continuous flooding of wetlands is needed to support apple snail populations that in turn sustain foraging by Snail Kites. Dense vegetation is not conducive to efficient foraging. Snail Kites require foraging areas that are relatively clear and open so that they can visually search for apple snails. Snail Kite habitat consists of freshwater marshes and the shallow vegetated edges of natural and manmade lakes where apple snails can be found. Rather, they use their feet to capture snails at or below the surface of the water. Snail Kites do not plunge into the water to capture snails and never use the bill to capture prey. Although sometimes confused with the northern harrier, the Snail Kite's flight is slower and characterized by more wing flapping, and the head typically is tilted down to look for snails while in flight. The bill is a distinguishing characteristic for field identification of adults as well as juveniles. The slender, curved bill of this medium-sized raptor is an adaptation for extracting the kite's primary prey, the apple snail, from its shell. Because of a highly specific diet composed almost entirely of apple snails ( Pomacea paludosa), survival of the Snail Kite depends directly on the hydrology and water quality of these watersheds, each of which has experienced pervasive degradation as a result of urban development and agricultural activities. The range of the Florida population of Snail Kites is restricted to watersheds in the central and southern part of the state. ![]() Now officially known as simply a Snail Kite, the subspecies from Florida and Cuba ( Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) formerly known as the Everglade Snail Kite was listed as endangered in 1967. The Snail Kite uses its slender, curved bill to extract its primary prey, the apple snail, from its shell. ![]()
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