Swallow-tailed Kite - 12 Aug 2026

Late July thru early September is considered Post-breeding Dispersal time for Swallow-tailed Kites. Post-breeding dispersal is a late-summer behavior where birds leave their southern coastal breeding grounds from mid-July to August and wander northward or inland across the U.S. before migrating to South America. Several sightings have been reported in Ohio the past few days, and since 10 Aug 2026 Swallow-tailed Kites have been reported in Allegan County, Van Buren County, St. Clair County, and this afternoon in Washtenaw County, Michigan! The latter just 30 minutes away.

I drove out to Avis Farms South near Textile and State St in Ann Arbor and arrived at 2 pm, A number of birders were present and reported that the kite had been seen a few minutes ago soaring over the tree-line several hundred yards up the road. 

While waiting for it to reappear I photographed a Sandhill Crane in the field to my right.

Just minutes later the Swallow-tailed Kite appeared low over the trees. Under overcast skies, high humidity and a light misting-drizzle the kite began to circle and drift in our direction.

Immediately you could see the white head and forked tail when it banked. Once it got closer the white body and white wing lining could be seen.

Its backside was all-black from shoulders down to tail. 

Compare with Mississippi Kite (image courtesy of Cornell's Birds of the World website) that have black primaries and silvery-gray to white secondaries and gray upper-wing coverts.

The Swallow-tailed Kite continued to drift closer before hanging a right and heading east toward State St.

"Where did its eyes go?" The photo below was taken when the kite closed its eyes. White eyelids made the eyeballs disappear completely!

Depending on the angle of the body the kite's tail was showing evidence of active molt. The "forked" tail was not always apparent depending upon orientation of the bird.

I would hop in the car and follow the kite as it flew off but only managed to see it again several minutes later but at a farther distance. I'd return to Avis Farms but the kite had not been reported for awhile, so I headed home. It would return and provide nice views later in the afternoon.

According to Cornell's Birds of the World: "The breeding range of this population (i.e., the northern subspecies, E. f. forficatus), which once covered parts of at least 16 (and perhaps as many as 21) states from Minnesota to Florida, presently includes portions of just seven southeastern states. Breeding habitat on publicly owned lands almost certainly is insufficient to ensure persistence of the population, but the lack of demographic data limits our ability to predict trends."

The graphic below shows Swallow-tailed Kite distribution via eBird between 2009 - 2023. The yellow regions show post-breeding dispersal reports.

Below are eBird reports of Swallow-tailed Kite for all years (1900-2026)

and below are eBird reports of Swallow-tailed Kite for the past 10 years

Today's Swallow-tailed Kite was my species #328 for Michigan. Only 72 more rarities before I hit my goal of 400...

Avis Farms South, Washtenaw, Michigan, US
Aug 12, 2026 2:01 PM - 2:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.033 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Overcast, humid, light mist. 78F, 76% humidity. Swallow-tailed Kite chase.
4 species

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)  2
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)  1     Swallow tail, white head. Pics. Continuing and moving south.
Purple Martin (Progne subis)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S382657480

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)