| In 2008-08-25 an unidentified bird of prey was photographed at Feteiras, São Miguel by Duarte Araújo. A photo of the bird was in September published on the internet site of Grupo de Fotografia de Natureza, and the bird was identified as a Swallow-tailed Kite. After research and contact with the photographer we are now able to publish two more photos on this bird (see below). This bird was seen by Duarte Araújo in the area around Vigia das Feteiras from 24/8 to 7/9. |
American Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus at Vigia das Feteiras, São Miguel 2008-08-25. (Photo:
Duarte Araújo).
American Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
at Vigia das Feteiras, São Miguel (Photo 2008-08-28:
Duarte Araújo).
However, this is not the first
Swallow-tailed Kite reported from the Azores. Already in 2005-03-17 one
bird was sighted on Flores, but this time with no photo evidence. This
bird was seen by Paulo Eduardo Cardoso and Inês do Rosário
(both biologists) in the afternoon near the harbour of Lajes. The bird
was seen flying, and Paulo Eduardo Cardoso who has previous experience
of the species from Brazil, has given a good description of the bird.
There are only one previous record from the Western
Palearctic: One bird 19-23 March 1993 at Costa Calma, Fuerteventura, Canary
Islands (Müller H.E., Lippert K. (1998) : Schwalbenweihe Elanoides
forficatus auf Fuerteventura - eine neue Art für die Paläarktis. Limicola
12 : 80 - 84.).
American Swallow-tailed Kites migrate between Florida
and Brazil and both March and late August fits well with their normal
migration periods.
Staffan Rodebrand, Sweden.
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