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Nesting

Snail Kites have been known to have nests in almost any month of the year, but the vast majority of nesting occurs between February and June.

Snail Kite nests are typically placed in a variety of substrates including isolated shrubs, willow stands, cypress trees, or herbaceous vegetation such as cattail.

Regardless of the substrate, nests are almost always over water, where access by predators would be reduced.

The nest itself is made with sticks, and is usually lined with green leaves. The leaves tend to be from from only a few plant species, mostly willow, but melaleuca and cypress are also used. Why kites line their nests with leaves is not clear, but some scientists speculate that it may reduce the number of parasites that infest the nest.

Snail Kites typically lay 2 or 3 blotched brownish eggs, but occasionally 1 or 4 eggs are laid. The eggs generally hatch after about 27 days.

Both sexes incubate and care for the young.

... but, after the young are about two weeks old, one of the parents may desert the nest and start a new nest with another partner.

This tends to occur when food is plentiful, so the remaining parent is usually able to finish raising the young alone.

photo: courtesy of Vicky Dreitz

This behavior is thought to be a way to raise more young during times when environmental conditions are good. During times when food is scarce, kites may not be able to raise any young.