Snail kites may be found in the Caribbean Islands, Central America, South America, and the freshwater marshes of Florida where there’s lots of open water for them to easily spot snails. After finding and catching this delectable morsel using just one foot, the snail kite will transfer it to its bill while still in flight. Taking it to a favorite spot, this bird will devour its treat by holding down the snail with its long toes and extracting the soft part with its curved beak. If you peeked below its perch, you would probably see piles and piles of apple snail shells. It’s been reported that an average adult bird can eat as many as fifty snails in one day, swallowing each one whole. 

Snail kites build their nests out of sticks and perch their home on a branch. Females lay two to four eggs. What’s unusual is the fact that the female may desert the male and leave him to finish raising nestlings. She will search for a new mate to lay more eggs. 

Unfortunately, these raptors are on the endangered species list because of the destruction of the wetlands in Florida. Many of them have died outright while others have had difficulty finding food since the apple snail population has drastically declined.  

Wildlife refuges in Florida help increase this species’ population by allowing them to nest undisturbed. In 1967, there were reports of only 100 of these birds. In 1999, researchers tallied 3,577. In the summer of 2005, 1,300 could be found in Florida. Florida’s people population grows larger each year and the Everglades are shrinking because of many water demands. This is forcing the birds to go elsewhere.