The swallow-tailed kite was first described as the "swallow-tail hawk" (forked-tail hawk).  It is a member of the raptor family. The species is 20 to 27 inches in length, with a wingspan of approximately 3.7 to 4.5 feet. Males and females appear similar. The body weight is 11 to 21 ounces.  The body is a contrasting deep black and white. The flight feathers, tail, feet, and bill are all black. Another characteristic is the elongated, forked tail at 10.8 – 14.6 inches long, hence the name swallow-tailed. The wings are also relatively elongated, as the wing chord measures 15–18 inches. The feet are fairly short for the size of the bird at 1.3 inches. Young swallow-tailed kites are duller in color than the adults, and the tail is not as deeply forked.

The swallow-tailed kite is largely associated with large tracts of wetland forests, which accommodate the birds’ nesting habits. Loblolly pines are the most prevalent choice for building nests but bald cypress are also used when the pines are unavailable. The major requirements of these nesting sites are food availability and tree height.

Swallow-tailed kites are considered migratory raptors and during the spring months often move north to the southeastern United States from areas in Central and South America to breed.  The spring months are when you can see them soaring over Pelican Bay. Roughly 3% of the world’s population breed in the United States. The birds are considered one of the most graceful fliers seen in America and often spend the majority of their lives scouring high treetops for lizards, small mammals, and insects. The morphology of the swallow-tailed kite's wing and tail structure allows the bird to glide effortlessly for long distances.

The swallow-tailed kite feeds on small reptiles such as snakes and lizards. It may also feed on small amphibians such as frogs; large insects, such as grasshoppers and crickets; small birds and eggs; and small mammals, including bats. It has also been observed to regularly consume fruit in Central America. It drinks by skimming the surface and collecting water in its beak. The birds usually do not break flight during feeding.

Mating occurs from March to May, with the female laying 2 to 4 eggs.   Incubation lasts 28 days, and 36 to 42 days to fledge. Often thought to form monogamous pairs, the birds are thought to spend some time apart and meet up during migrations to nesting locations.  On occasion, pairs will return to the same nesting locations of the previous years and refurbish old nests. Generally, nests take about four days to complete.

Swallow-tailed kites are not listed as endangered or threatened by the federal government in the United States. They are listed as endangered by the state of South Carolina  and as threatened by the state of Texas. They are listed as "rare" by the state of Georgia. The Center for Birds of Prey in Charleston, SC has an ongoing effort to track sightings within the state. 

Destruction of habitats is chiefly responsible for the decline in numbers. A key conservation area is the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. As of 2016, populations have seemed to stabilize and even show increasing trends. Successful habitat restoration and management has allowed these birds to re-establish nesting populations in areas of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

References: National Audubon Society and Wikipedia