Rufous-thighed Kite
Harpagus diodon
The Rufous-thighed Kite (Harpagus diodon) is a rare kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 5 countries, weighing about 200 g. The rufous-thighed kite is a species of bird of prey in subfamily Accipitrinae, the "true" hawks, of family Accipitridae.
About the Rufous-thighed Kite
The rufous-thighed kite is a species of bird of prey in subfamily Accipitrinae, the "true" hawks, of family Accipitridae. It is found regularly in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Paraguay, and Suriname and as a vagrant in Colombia, French Guiana, and Venezuela.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufous-thighed kite is 29 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in) long with a wingspan of 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in). The sexes are almost alike though the female is slightly larger than the male. Chestnut thighs give the species its English name. Adults have a slate gray head and upperparts. Their tail is slate gray with three paler gray bars and white tips to the feathers. Their throat is whitish with a dark streak down its center. Their breast is gray that becomes white at the undertail coverts. Their eye is red or orange, their cere lemon yellow, and their legs yellow to orange. Voice: A fledgling and a parent on the nest gave "high-pitched 'chee' and disyllabic 'chee-weet' begging calls" when the other parent approached with prey. "Adults also give a three-note vocalization."
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufous-thighed Kite?
- The rufous-thighed kite is 29 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in) long with a wingspan of 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous-thighed Kite?
- The Rufous-thighed Kite is a medium sized bird weighing about 200 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous-thighed Kite?
- The Rufous-thighed Kite occurs in 5 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and French Guiana.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous-thighed Kite?
- The Rufous-thighed Kite is most easily confused with the Double-toothed Kite.
- Is the Rufous-thighed Kite endangered?
- The Rufous-thighed Kite is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rufous-thighed Kite for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.