My absolute FAVORITE bird of prey! What a gorgeous picture, Karalynn! Swallowtails are arriving for the summer now, and will stay here until fall. The Orlando Wetlands area is a great place to see them, and there are several spots along I-95 where I always see them, too. I saw one fly over my backyard last week, which was the first time I've seen one from this house.

The most interesting thing about them, to me, is that they eat on the wing. I've seen them snatch small snakes out of trees, and they soar around in circles, bending their head back to tear pieces of their prey, which they hold in their talons. It's pretty neat to see.

When you are outside in your garden, always remember to look UP now and then. You never know when you might see something this beautiful flying by!

Thanks for sharing!

Marcia

I haven't seen this bird before your picture. So lovely! Thank you for sharing :)

Cathy

Marcia, what do they sound like? Is it possible I could have seen them in St. Pete area??
Brenda

I too have noticed them the past couple of days. They are a welcomed site here! Marcia, interesting info, now I will observe them with more intent!

You know, I don't think I've ever heard them calling. I will have to do a search for ya. The bird book says "generally silent except around nest." Then it makes a "klee-klee-klee" noise. That's not very helpful to me, but maybe it will give you an idea.

It also says, "Forages aerially, plucking large insects, especially dragonflies, and small vertebrates such as tree frogs, small snakes and nesting birds out of the air or off foliage. Often eats prey in flight; drinks by skimming the water's surface."

I have never seen a swallowtail kite perched before, except in captivity. They spend so much time "kiting" on the breeze.

Here is a picture a bit brighter so you can see the colors more vividly. It is quite simply the most striking of all the raptors, to my mind, having a beautiful, expressive face when seen up close.

Marcia

What no squirrels? I want it to eat the stinkin' squirrels!
LOL

Hahaha...that would be GREAT, wouldn't it? Then it would be the PERFECT, ultimate gardener's friend! Who knows...maybe it does eat small ones, if it can snatch them out of the tree tops.

Marcia

OHHHHHH, they are among my favorites, no doubt about it, and I always feel so honored to see one! It reminds me of a backpacking trip I made to Peru many years ago... the sherpas who helped carry our packs along the Inca trail to Macchu Picchu always paused and smiled when they saw the revered Condor circling above, for it was good luck to see one. That's the way I feel about swallow-tail kites! Beautiful birds! Thanks for sharing!

I always feel like it's a special day when I see a swallow tail kite. They are beautiful and the way they soar just takes my breath away.

wwwoman - I want a Sherpa! I ask for one every year at Christmas and for my birthday, too.

Hehehehe...let's ALL get sherpas this year! How convenient that would be, eh? So handy at the local garden centers and the mall. And they could push the basket at Publix, too! LOVE it!!

It's interesting to see that everyone who knows about swallowtail kites has the same reaction when they see them. For me, the first swallowtail kite of the year is a grand occasion. I saw it this year as I was driving up to see Tabby ON MY BIRTHDAY! I was so tickled!! It was an extra present!

Once you know about them, you can't help but go "OOOOOOOH, LOOK!" every time you see one soar by. Nothing beats them for grace and beauty. Just nothing!

Marcia

Marcia, I agree that looking up can provide a wondrous sight - like the morning I walked between the house and barn and for no reason, looked up and saw a cloud of Monarch butterflies silently heading southwest. I knew they migrated, but had never seen more than two or three together at a time. I just stood and watched in awe until the last one had passed beyond the trees. I doubt I shall ever see that sight again. cora

WOW, surely a sight like that would move even the most jaded among us! Truly a great story, Cora, and thanks for sharing it. Now I will always have that thought in my mind when I look up. Who knows...maybe someday I'll be as lucky as YOU were! Thanks for sharing that!

Marcia

Cora~ That is a once-in-a-lifetime event! I agree Marcia, I would hold that moment in my heart forever! How blessed we are to behold all these wonderful creatures and share the experiences! I live vicariously through you all! Thank you! Kat

You're in luck, ladies! I've heard there's a SALE on sherpas... all you have to do is go to Peru and marry one.

(Here an odd sound emanates from WWWoman's throat... something akin to one being strangled... wish you could hear it! It's merely a reaction to the "M" word, nothing to be worried about). (-:

Beautiful pictures. We get a couple of pairs in our neighborhood all the time. We always go watch them. They are so graceful, coasting in the breeze or swooping down to the ground for a closer look for critters.

I really like WWwoman!
I think she needs to come to a swap and tell us stories.

oh and pretty birds yada, yada, yada.

Thanks, coffeemom! I worry that my brand of humor is a bit overboard sometimes, but hey, that's why they make strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla, eh? I'm definitely planning to attend the Ocala swap, so if you're going, I'll be there. After that, who knows?

I've had the pleasure of a lot of traveling in my younger years (actually saw a Resplendent Quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinnoin, in a forest in Costa Rica!),
{{gwi:845844}}
but nowadays am totally content to spend my non-working hours at home, with my doggies, the garden, and the pretty birds, yada, yada. (-:

WWW, I always say that chocolate, vanilla and strawberry thing! And isn't it the truth!

As for the sherpas...ummm...marry one? Can't I just "acquire" him through less painful means, and order him around, and stuff? Make him carry packages and clear paths for me and tote bales and the like? Is that so much to ask?????

;o)
Marcia

Saw my first Swallow-tail today! They may have been here before but since I work during the week I don't get much time for bird watching until the weekend. Saw a Pileated Woodpecker, Cockatiel, Carolina Wren and Tufted Titmouse too! Great day in the garden with the birds. Not a sherpa to be seen tho. Had to do all the "grunt" work myself!

nova

You saw a COCKATIEL?? In your yard? Is it an escapee from your neighborhood? Poor thing! When I see escaped parrots and the like, I always fret as most of the time they don't fare so well, at least not up here. Of course, don't tell anybody that in SOUTH Florida, where they have flocks of parrots of various types, doing just fine.

Aren't swallowtails just the ULTIMATE?

At my feeder yesterday I had tufted timice, a catbird, some cardinals, a red-bellied woodpecker, a brown thrasher, mourning doves, white-winged doves, and a couple of straggling goldfinches. I FINALLY got some birds again, after several months of nothing! Blast those red-shouldered hawks!

Marcia

One day K2 - my number 1 Dalmatian - snagged a young bird. He did not kill it and it began that planative squeak that birds and small mammals seem to share when death is near. I ran to the bird which was on the ground to decide what to do with it. Out of nowhere swept a kite that (no doubt) heard the sound and he whisked the injured bird away for his dinner. Nature is just amazing.

Now I recognize that sound and whenever I hear it I look up and I see a rapture with some prey in his grip. The rapture will dive and dive until the sound stops. Does anyone know what the rator is doing? I know he is waiting for the prey to die but why the diving? Does the rush of air accelerate death of the prey?

I have learned to both look up AND listen up....

Anita