Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Scissor-tailed Kite

Chelictinia riocourii

The scissor-tailed kite, known scientifically as Chelictinia riocourii, is a bird of prey with a slender build and a distinctive deeply forked tail, reminiscent of scissors. Its plumage is primarily pale grey above and white below, with a striking black patch around the eyes and a white forehead. The adult's red eyes are particularly notable.

Identification Tips

When observing the scissor-tailed kite, look for its long pointed wings and broad head. The bill is relatively weak, and in flight, the dark greyish flight feathers contrast with the lighter inner underwing. A black bar across the carpal joint is also visible. Juveniles can be identified by their darker backs with rufous feather edges and creamier undersides.

Habitat

This species favors the arid savannahs of the Sahel region in Africa, where it thrives in the open landscapes.

Distribution

The scissor-tailed kite is widespread across the northern tropics of Africa, from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east, and extending to Ethiopia and Kenya. It is also present in Yemen.

Behaviour

The scissor-tailed kite is an adept hunter, often seen soaring in search of prey such as skinks, small snakes, rodents, and arthropods. It is known to hunt on the wing and can be seen hawking insects in the wake of grass fires or swarming locusts. At times, it may form loose flocks, especially when termites emerge en masse.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in loose colonies or as isolated pairs, with the timing varying across its range. The kite constructs a small stick nest within an acacia or thorny bush, often positioned near the nests of larger raptors or even close to human habitations for added protection.

Similar Species

While its forked tail and flight style are distinctive, the scissor-tailed kite could potentially be confused with other grey and white kites or terns at a distance.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the scissor-tailed kite primarily consists of reptiles and insects. It is particularly adept at catching prey on the wing and is often seen exploiting the disturbances caused by other animals or fires to capture insects.

Conservation status

The scissor-tailed kite is currently classified as Vulnerable. It faces threats from habitat degradation and pesticide use, although it remains locally common in parts of its range.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Scissor-tailed Kites on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
🦉
Nathan Mixon
14 Aug 2020 - 12:00am
Kenya

More Kites, Hawks, Eagles

A photo of a Shikra (Accipiter badius)

Shikra

Accipiter badius
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Viperray5
Loving it
I really enjoy being able to interact with other birders on this platform! This seems like a great way to meet other birders and find some new spots.
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.