This kite has a long swallow-like forked tail, with a white underbody and white head. Though its body is only about 16 inches in length, it carries long, pointed wings that span about 42 inches.

The white-tailed kite sets itself apart from other kites by hovering while hunting. Its prey mostly consists of rodents and insects.

Habitat: prefers open grasslands and farmlands.

Its distribution is wide. It is mostly known from the Pacific coast states and Mexico, but has been spotted as far north as Western Canada, and in the U.S. in Wyoming, New York and Connecticut.

The Biodiversity Database shows only one sighting in the Abrams Creek drainage.

References:

Field Guide to the Birds of North America, National Geographic, Fourth Edition, 2002.