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Protecting Snail Kites: Everglades' Path to Conservation

Learn about the endangered Snail Kite's habits, threats, and conservation efforts in the Florida Everglades. Help save this hawk's dwindling population by promoting wetland preservation and sustainable water management practices.

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Protecting Snail Kites: Everglades' Path to Conservation

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  1. Everglades Snail Kite Path to Extinction

  2. Description of Snail Kites • 45 inch wingspan • 14-16 inches long • Weighs 12-20 ounces Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  3. Female Snail Kite Male Snail Kite • Slate Grey • Red legs • Square tail with white base and black tip • Brown with white streaks • Yellow legs • Red eyes Photo Courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  4. Juvenile Snail Kite • Cinnamon colored • Buff streaks • Brown eyes • Yellow legs Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  5. Social Structure • Form roosts of two to a few hundred • Flexible breeding efforts • Will migrate to better feeding areas Photo courtesy of Wiley Kitchens

  6. Feeding Habits Searching For snails Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  7. Still Hunting Only snails at surface are vulnerable Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  8. The Apple Snail • Comes to surface infrequently • Breathes with gills and a lung Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  9. Range Photos courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  10. Habitat Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  11. Marsh Habitat Cypress Prairie Habitat Photo Courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  12. Lake Okeechobee Habitat Northern Lakes Habitat Photo Courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  13. Peripheral Habitat Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  14. Nesting • Two-year olds • February-June • Acrobatics Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  15. Nests • Males build nest • Nests made of sticks lined with leaves • Must be over water • 2-4 spotted eggs • Incubate 27 days • Nest singly or colonies Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  16. Fledgling Care • Fledge after 4 to 5 weeks • Parents feed even after fledging • May raise more than 1 brood • Parent desertion Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  17. Status • Federal Endangered Species Act • Migratory Bird Treaty • Chapter 39, Florida Administrative Code Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  18. Threatened by habitat loss Draining of the everglades Loss of food supply Threats to Species Population Decline Photo Courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  19. Threats to Species • Drought may potentially have an impact on population • Cause snail reduction • Reproduction reduced Photo courtesy of dr. Wiley Kitchens

  20. Water • Originated as agricultural runoff • Nitrogen and phosphorus • Altering habitat Photo Courtesy of Dr, Wiley Kitchens

  21. Water Importance • Vegetation altered from flooding • Snails require long wet spells • Too long destroys nesting sites • May require areas with continuous flooding Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  22. Management and Conservation • Maintain water quality and quantity • Decrease nutrient runoff • Important to conserve water • Optimize apple snail populations • Control exotic species • Prevent human disturbance

  23. Research Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  24. Research • Winter surveys • Colored leg bands • Radio transmitters Photo Courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  25. Research • Nesting failure • Predation, collapse and abandonment • Placed in cattails • Less frequent in Everglades • More frequent in Lake habitats Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  26. How You Can Help Encourage Wetland Conservation

  27. Conserve Water Resources

  28. Support Establishment of Wetland Preserves Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

  29. Encourage Green Lawn Management

  30. Report Any Harassment of Snail Kites Lakeland 1-800-282-8002 West Palm Beach 1-800-432-2046 Photo courtesy of Dr. Wiley kitchens

  31. Summary • Snail kites are medium size hawks • Communal roosting and nesting • Feed on apple snails by skimming surface • Range is in a few areas of south Florida • Draining of everglades impacted population • Encourage conservation of wetlands and water • Encourage no-pesticide lawn management

  32. Acknowledgements Developed by: AprilWeaver and Dr. Mark Hostetler, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, IFAS, University of Florida In conjunction with: Dr. Wiley Kitchens, U.S.G.S., Florida Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Photo credits: Photos courtesy of Dr. Wiley Kitchens

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