Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii)

Order: Accipitriformes | Family: Accipitridae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

pearl-kite
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown| Loc. Tumbes, Peru

pearl-kite
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Marañon Valley, Peru

pearl-kite
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. No Data

pearl-kite
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Amazonas, Peru

Identification & Behavior: ~22.5 cm (9 in). The Pearl Kite has a sooty-black back and top of the head. The underparts are mostly white with variable rufous on the flanks and thighs.  The head is patterned with yellow, black, and white. It forages at forest edges and open habitats. It is structurally similar to the American Kestrel but has distinctive color patterns.  Also, see the White-tailed Kite.

Status: The Pearl Kite is rare to uncommon in apparently disjunct populations in Amazonia, northwest Peru, and the Marañon Valley. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Elanio Perla.

Sub-species: Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii magnus), C. Chubb, 1918. Coastal W Colombia, Ecuador and N Peru.
(G. s. swainsonii), Vigors, 1825. Brazil S of the Amazon River to E Peru, E Bolivia.

Meaning of Name: Gampsonyx: Gr. gampsonux, gampsos= word (epithet) to Vulture and Onux= claw. swainsonii = honor of the naturalist and collector English species, William Swainson- (1789-1855).

See more of the Family Accipitridae   peru aves

Distribution Map
pearl kiteVoice

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.