A David Mead original from Raptors of the World, published by Christopher Helm as a Handbook (2001) and a Field Guide (2005).

PLATE 12 in Handbook (Field Guide plates 14 and 15)

White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
W and S USA, Central and South America

Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis
SE USA, Cuba, Central and South America

Slender-billed Kite Rostrhamus hamatus
N South America

Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus*
SW USA, Cuba, Central and South America

*One subspecies shown here is elevated to species level in Field Guide as Cuban Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax wilsonii.

ABOUT THE BIRDS The White-tailed Kite, an open-country species that quickly colonises deforested areas, has greatly increased in numbers since it came close to extinction in North America in the early 20th century.

Snail Kites and Slender-billed Kites use their extraordinary, sickle-shaped bills to extract the flesh of large, freshwater apple snails.

Tree-snails are the preferred diet of the forest-dwelling Hook-billed Kite. It has a wide range of plumages, which mimic various more powerful raptors and may fool predators into leaving the comparatively defenceless kite alone.

Medium Gouache on tinted acrylic gesso
Image size 8in x 12in (20cm x 30cm)