Swallow tailed kite
 

The last time I saw these, back in 07.

cool
 

yeah we have been seeing them frequently around south/central la. last year and seen some last week really close, we call them Scissor Tail Kites though, they are pretty neat

Saw two in Shurburne this past Wednesday. Had been a while since I seen them myself.

saw one in central Louisiana Saturday afternoon. stunning bird!

They have a pair that nests in my parents tree every year.

Talk about got some moves when flying. They use that tail like a rudder. First time I saw one, had no idea what I was. Did some research and sounds like they got em in the basin pretty much, then further east. Not too many here on the west side I guess.

They are pretty common in the south sabine river area.

They like wetlands, and you can see them in the longleaf piney woods in southwest La around Big Woods and along the Houston River. They like to eat snakes also

I would love to get some pictures of the awesome Swallow-tailed Kites. They are completing their 5,000 mile migration from South America and are showing up in Louisiana, Texas and other southern states. They should be pairing up and begin nesting soon. If anyone knows where some are nesting please shoot me a pm. I would love to see them and photograph them. :)

Best,
Tom

I saw some there during Turkey season several years ago. I never could find where they were nesting..... they kept flying and never would go to the nest.

There was an Owl nesting near there and she would call out every time I went near her tree.