White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) is in the Hawks, Eagles, and Kites family (Accipitridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 15,691 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph White-tailed Kite: observations by month (U.S.)
About White-tailed Kite
The white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus) is a small raptor found in western North America and parts of South America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
White-tailed Kite by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 13,447 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Texas | 1,640 | January | Oct–Apr |
| Florida | 227 | December | Oct–Mar |
| Oregon | 115 | January | Nov–Jan |
| Arizona | 67 | March | Mar–Mar |
| New Mexico | 64 | December | Nov–Feb |
| Louisiana | 53 | November | Oct–Feb |
| Washington | 18 | March | Mar–May |
| Ohio | 11 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 11 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Indiana | 8 | May | May–May |
| Oklahoma | 8 | January | Jan–Jan |
| New Jersey | 7 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
Red-tailed Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Northern Harrier
Mississippi Kite
Swainson's Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph White-tailed Kite?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from December to November.
Where is White-tailed Kite most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Florida.