Occurrence of the White-Tailed Kite in Northern California
Occurrence of the White-tailed Kite in Northern California
In view of the fact that records of the White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus majusculus) in northern California seem to be uncommon, I thought it best to publish my own observations on this species. Townsend (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 10, 1887, p. 201) states that two kites were seen by him near Red Bluff early in May, 1884. So far as I can ascertain, this is the only published record of kites in northern California unless certain records from Napa Valley are to be included and more recently those from Yolo County.
During October, 1933, I saw a White-tailed Kite flying over the Sacramento River bottom-land near Orland. The bird flew low over a field and except for hovering a couple of times, its flight resembled that of a Marsh Hawk. The next kite I saw was over chaparral near Cherokee. This time the bird was flying rapidly and soon disappeared from sight. Both this and the first observation were made in Butte County.
On April 29, 1937, I saw two White-tailed Kites chasing each other over a forest near Bumey Falls in eastern Shasta County. This pair was observed with glasses for several minutes before they disappeared. They would fly at each other and after making a few aerial maneuvers would sail about with their legs hanging down. No cries or calls were heard.
Lloyd G. Ingles
Chico State College, Chico, California, May 18 1937
