A few recent summer records from swamps in Columbus, such as the Waccamaw River, might suggest possible breeding there. A pair was seen building a nest in Onslow on, but the outcome was not reported. Another nest with two nearly fledged juveniles was photographed on along the Black River ( Pender). Since 2003, up to 10-17 birds have been seen along the Cape Fear River near NC 11 and Lock and Dam #1 an adult was seen on a nest on near this river in Bladen. Very rare in the latter part of Feb, and as late as late Sep apparently no records from Oct to mid-Feb. Rare though somewhat regular along the southern half of the coast, north to Buxton, from mid-Mar to late May very rare farther north, and more than a few miles from the coast. Why this push tends to avoid the eastern half of the Piedmont is a mystery.Īnnual visitor, mainly in spring along and near the coast, and breeder at a few sites in the southern counties records increasing since 2005. In the past few years, there has been a considerable post-breeding push of birds in the late summer and fall into the western Piedmont and mountains, including flocks of six or more birds. The species is seldom seen perched in North Carolina. However, most kites seen in North Carolina are simply in flight over a variety of coastal habitats, from barrier islands, to maritime forests. The species forages mostly in the air by swooping down onto animal prey, often reptiles and amphibians, snatching them from vegetation. Finally, in 2013, a nest was found at that site in the state, during an aerial survey a second nest, along the Black River, was discovered in 2018, and a third in 2019. Since 2003, several birds have spent the spring and summer along the Cape Fear River in Bladen/Pender, strongly suggestive of local breeding. Kites have nested for decades as far north as the Santee River, South Carolina, and have been seen in small numbers annually near the coast in spring, almost certainly as over-shooting breeders. Swallow-tailed Kite - Elanoides forficatusĪrguably the most spectacular bird of prey in the world, especially when seen in flight, the Swallow-tailed Kite has tantalized North Carolina birders for years, trying to determine if the birds actually breed in the state.
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