Planet of Birds

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) Science Article 1 abstract The coastal plain of Surinam the Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) is the most numerous hawk wherever freshwater marshes occur. The cultivation of rice, which inundates large areas during part of the year, has undoubtedly expanded its feeding grounds. When the rice is growing the birds concentrate along […]

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) Science Article 4 abstract Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis sociabilis) observed along the lower Rio Magdalena in northern Colombia fed heavily on Pomacea chemnitzi but also took Marisa cornuarietis, a smaller species. The kites captured Pomacea preferentially over Marisa and had difficulties extracting Marisa from its shell. They also failed to extract […]

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) Science Article 5 abstract The hunting behavior, snail size selection, and time-activity patterns of non-breeding Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis sociabilis) were studied in Guyana rice fields. Kites spent 62% of the photoperiod perching, 19% foraging, 13% in maintenance activities, and 6% flying. As the day progressed, the percentage of daylight hours […]

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) Science Article 2 abstract Kleptoparasitism is defined as the stealing of food from an individual by another individual (Rothschild and Clay 1952). Interspecific kleptoparasitism occurs in many animal groups but is particularly widespread among birds, especially when individuals of different species regularly congregate at feeding areas (Brockmana nd Barnard 1979). BRUCE […]

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) Science Article 3 abstract The breeding biology of the Snail Kite was studied in Florida from 1968-1977 and intermittently from 1978-1980. Breeding occurred every month, but not in the same year. Peak egg-laying occurred from February through April or generally about 81 d before the onset of the rainy season in […]