Hook-billed Kite

The Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus) has a heavy, deeply hooked bill. Lives from S Texas and West Indies to N Argentina. Feeds mostly of snails.

41cm (16”), 275g. Plumage variable. Iris whitish; bare spot on cere; legs yellow. Tail always banded with light gray and black. Gray phase (males): Above slaty; below barred gray and white. Black phase (males): mostly dull black. Rufous phase (females): face gray; crown black; nuchal collar rufous and buffy-white. Young: Above blackish brown; nuchal collar white; below white sometimes barred with black. Tail more finely and irregularly banded than in adult.