Gnatcatchers and White-tailed Kites at Santa Carina

Arriving at Santa Carina trails hoping to check out the White-tailed Kites after receiving a text from Eve yesterday saying she had seen at least two White-tailed Kite nestlings in the nest and had just seen an aerial food exchange between the kites. It was exciting news and I was eager to get some shots today...

 

Soon as I entered the Santa Carina Trail on the south side of San Elijo Lagoon, I heard the familiar mewing sound of the California Gnatcatcher. I have never photographed an adult male in full breeding plumage before so I was thrilled to spot one in a nearby bush. Here is a close-up of the male California Gnatcatcher.

California Gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica measures 4.5 inches long with a wingspan of 5.5 inches. Their habitat is the coastal sage scrub. Because of loss of habitat, this species has been listed as "threatened" by the US Fish and Wildlife Service since 1993.

 

Only the male has the black cap and only when he is in full breeding plumage. 

 

In this photo you can see the white markings on the outer edge of the tail that identifies the California Gnatcatcher from the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. 

 The male is singing his heart out for a mate.

 

A straight frontal look as he sings. 

Still singing. 

 

I was told by a biologist that a pair of California Gnatcatchers needs about 12 square acres for their territory. Loss of their habitat, the coastal sage scrub, is estimated at 70 to 90 percent due to development. 

 

They feed on a wide verity of small insects and spiders including beetles, caterpillars, scale insects, ants, wasps, flies, moths, small grasshoppers and many more small insects.

California Gnatcatchers are monogamous and both parents care for the young. The female lays about 3 to 5 eggs which will hatch in about 14 days. Both parents incubate the eggs. The young will fledge and leave the nest 15 to 16 days after hatching. 

 

Adults often remain together in pairs even after breeding season in their permanent territories. 

 

One last shot of this beautiful male California Gnatcatcher and it's time for me to go look for the White-tailed Kites. 

Many of the wildflowers are in bloom.

Arriving at the lookout point I got a glimpse of a White-faced Ibis in flight but soon disappeared into the reeds. As I was waiting for some activity from the Kites, I was startled to find Eve standing behind me saying something in Spanish. LOL... She was eager to let me know that she had just stepped on a snake and felt lucky that it was a non-poisonous type. 

The female Kite is not in the mood for bonding and screams at the male. I think she told him to get her some breakfast because he is now on the wing and hunting. 

I check the nest and there are two nestlings visible and they appear to be getting restless, probably hungry too. 

 

Soon the female leaves her perch and I follow her with my lens to the east side of the nest tree. The male is hovering with the prey dangling and is ready for an aerial exchange. 

 

The female is calling out as she gets closer to the prey being offered by the male. 

 

Just the perfect distance from the prey and the female puts on the brakes and swings both her talons up and out to grab the offering. 

Got it. 

She has a hold of the prey with both her talons and also appears to have grabbed on with her beak pulling the prey off the talons of the male. 

 

Using her beak to position the prey for transport. The male stays close for protection. 

 

The female takes the prey and flies to her favorite tree and consumes it quickly. She must have been very hungry!

 

The female flies to the nest to check on the nestlings. This may also signal to the male that he needs to get more prey because now it's time to feed the nestlings. The male takes off again as I see him flying east of the nest and looking at his favorite hunting grounds. 

The female is watching the male hunt from the nest. 

 

What a wonderful opportunity it has been today to see the Kites bringing prey and delivering with an aerial exchange!  As the male White-tailed kite was again on the wing and appeared to be hunting, Eve said she would love to stay and see another food exchange but had to go and she stepped forward to head for home.  All of a sudden I heard a loud hideous noise that I have heard many times before and knew there was an Rattlesnake very close! Eve had just walked past a huge Rattlesnake that was crossing the trail right in front of her!  She didn't see it and the snake also was startled by her sudden movement!  She promised she would be more careful about where she stepped and left for home.

As Eve left for home, the male flew by probably looking to see what that commotion was  about, that little dark spot in the photo at the bottom right is a hummingbird warning the Kite to stay away from its area.

 

It wasn't but a few minutes after Eve left that the male Kite had gotten another prey. He signals to his mate again by hovering and lowering his leg to show off his prize. 

 

She calls out and comes flying to receive his gift. 

 

The male stays in a hovering position as the female approaches from behind. 

She flies swiftly towards the male never taking her eyes off the prey. 

The grab!

The male makes sure that the female has the prey secured in her talons before letting go. 

Letting go... 

The female is heard calling with delight. 

Securing the prey. The male stays close to make sure there is no unwelcome company. 

 

The female takes this one to a snag first and eats some of the prey and brings a large piece back to the nest to feed the nestlings. 

 

Feeding the nestlings. 

There are two nestlings that can be seen in this photo however I talked to another photographer who said he had seen a third nestling, a runt in the nest. We will have to see whether he survives. These are a fantastic bonded pair of White-tailed Kites and they appear to have plenty of prey for raising healthy offspring. Good luck to them with these little ones. 

The male again goes on the hunt and within just few minutes he is signaling to his mate that he has been successful and she can come and get the prey.

 

Again the female is on the wing and approaches the male with the prey dangling from his talons ready for the exchange. 

 

She calls out.

 

The male is ready for her to grab the prey. 

The female gauges the distance.

Grabs with both talons and also her beak to make this transfer. 

This looks like a good size gopher. 

 

Adjusting for the extra weight with her wings fully extended as she settles her prey into position for the carry back to the nest. 

 

Again, the male stays close to make sure the prey is secured and there are no intruders. 

LOL, the rodent must still be alive and may be struggling because she is still fussing with it. 

Grabbing the head with sharp talons always seem to quiet them down. 

Showing the female getting a good grip.

 

Now she flies to the nest. 

Hovers beautifully into the nest. 

Proceeds to feed her nestlings. 

 I still only see two but I'm sure we will see the runt more active soon. 

Looks like the female is finished feeding. 

Out she flies with something in her beak. It may have been a part of the rodent that she didn't want to feed the nestling. 

 

Wish I could see what part of the rodent she takes out of the nest but she did go to her favorite snag and proceed to consume it.  And it's time for me to head home.

Have a wonderful weekend and wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!