ML160823121

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

The bird made a pass over Gay’s Head at 9:25am. It flew along the southern edge of the head, providing great views. It then flew out over the water across the channel towards Nashawena Island. I watched it in the scope flying against the wind, and when I lost sight of it about halfway across the channel, it was still traveling towards Nashawena Island. White head, underparts, and underwing coverts; black flight feathers; and black, deeply forked tail. Photos. To get some insight into the age of this bird, I communicated with Dr. Jennifer Coulson who does research on Swallow-tailed Kites. She aged it as an after second year (born prior to 2018) based on the proportionately long wings and long, deeply-forked tail. Also, this bird is beginning primary molt (molting P1)—second year birds would be further along in molt at this time of year. The 19th of May had strong winds out of the south. The 20th also had strong winds out of the southwest switching to NW overnight. The winds were out of the NW the morning of the 21st. What a privilege to see this species in MA.

Technical information

Original file size

1.49 MB