Birders Get A Front Row Seat to the Everglade Snail Kit

Snail kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) are fascinating birds of prey found in wetland habitats, particularly in Florida. Snail kites are relatively quiet birds, lacking the vocalizations and aggressive behaviors seen in some other raptors.

Facts About Snail Kites

Specialized Diet: Snail kites almost exclusively eat Native Florida Apple Snails (Pomacea paludosa), using their sharp, curved beak to pry the snail from its shell. This makes them highly dependent on wetland ecosystems like the Everglades National Park biome, where these snails thrive. The larger invasive introduced apple snail (Pomacea maculata or P. insularum), which can outcompete and replace the native prey, poses a significant threat.

Sexual Dimorphism: Males and females have different plumage colors. Males are dark gray with red-orange legs and beaks, while females and juveniles are brown with streaked markings.

Unique Hunting Method: They fly low over marshes, using their keen eyesight to spot snails just below the water’s surface before swooping down to grab them with their talons.

Population Fluctuations: Since they rely on apple snails, their population is highly affected by water levels and snail availability. Conservation efforts have helped stabilize their numbers in Florida.

Agile in Flight: They are excellent flyers, capable of hovering over water before striking their prey.

Conservation Status: In the United States, the snail kite is listed as Endangered due to significant habitat loss and changes in water management that affect hydropatterns, which in turn reduce the availability of its primary food source, the apple snail.

Check out the National Park Service’s Snail Kite Species Profile.

Are They in Shark Valley, Florida?

Snail Kite Florida population is primarily found in the Everglades, where these specialized raptors rely on apple snails as their main food source. Shark Valley is recognized as a prime location for observing these birds. (On January 13, 2025, two snail kites were observed near Mile 3 on the tram road at Shark Valley).

Their range in the U.S. is quite limited, as they are only found in Florida, primarily within the Everglades and other marshy areas. When it comes to nesting, they keep things simple, building basic nests in reeds or trees near water. Unlike more adaptable birds of prey, snail kites are highly specialized. Their dependency on apple snails makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat changes and fluctuations in their food supply.

Sightings of snail kites can fluctuate based on water levels and prey availability. The dry season, typically from November to April, often concentrates prey, making snail kites more visible as they forage.

Hydrology and the Future of the Snail Kite

The future of the Snail Kite is inseparable from the hydrology of the Everglades. As stated earlier, unlike most raptors, this species depends almost entirely on one prey item: the Florida apple snail (Pomacea paludosa), a species whose life cycle is tightly linked to the timing, depth, and duration of water flow. When water levels stay too high for too long or drop too quickly, apple snails cannot reproduce successfully or are left stranded and die, leaving kites without enough food to nest and raise young.

One of the best places to see this relationship in action is around Shark Valley, where the slow-moving sheet flow, sawgrass prairies, and open wetlands create ideal conditions for both apple snails and the birds that feed on them. In healthy stretches of the Everglades like this, visitors can watch Snail Kites soaring low over the water, proof of how balanced wetlands can still support rare and specialized wildlife.

Can You Birdwatch on a Shark Valley Tram Tour?

Yes! The Shark Valley Tram Tour in Everglades National Park is a great way to go birdwatching. The area has an abundance of marshland, making it a prime habitat for apple snails and, in turn, snail kites. If you visit Shark Valley, you have a good chance of spotting them, especially near slow-moving water where snails are plentiful. Keep an eye out for them soaring low over the wetlands!

Visitors aiming to spot these birds should consider visiting during the dry season and focusing on areas along the tram road and near the observation tower. Bringing binoculars and visiting during peak activity periods can enhance birdwatching experiences.

Our open-air trams provide an excellent vantage point for spotting a variety of birds, including snail kites, anhingas, great blue herons, egrets, white ibises, roseate spoonbills, and wood storks. Check out the Shark Valley Tram Tour Gallery of Wildlife Sightings.

Since the tram moves at a slow pace with frequent stops for wildlife viewing, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to observe birds in their natural habitat. The tram tour 15-mile loop runs through prime wetland areas, where wading birds and raptors like snail kites are often seen hunting or perched. At the halfway point of your Everglades tour, a 45-foot-high observation deck gives you an opportunity to observe birds and other wildlife 20 miles in all directions.

If you prefer a more flexible viewing opportunity, you can also bike the loop at your own pace.

What Time Of Day Is Best For Birdwatching There?

Visiting Shark Valley in Everglades National Park offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. While snail kites can be active throughout the day, early mornings and late afternoons are generally optimal for birdwatching, as many bird species exhibit increased activity during these times.

Birds are typically most active during the early morning hours, shortly after sunrise, and in the late afternoon before sunset. These periods, known as the “golden hours,” provide optimal lighting and increased bird activity, enhancing your birdwatching experience.

Regularly check this site or contact us directly for the latest updates on tour availability and any potential changes due to construction. By planning accordingly and staying informed, you can enjoy a rewarding birdwatching experience at Shark Valley.

Don’t miss out on this incredible destination — start planning your trip today!

Glossary

Apple snail (Pomacea paludosa) – A freshwater snail native to Florida wetlands; the primary prey of the Snail Kite, dependent on stable water depths and flows for reproduction.
Hydropattern – The natural timing, depth, duration and distribution of water flow in a wetland ecosystem, which governs plant and animal life cycles.
Sawgrass prairie – A broad, open marsh habitat dominated by the plant Cladium jamaicense (sawgrass), characteristic of the Everglades; supports species like apple snails and the Snail Kite.
Sheet-flow – A shallow, slow, unconfined flow of water across a wide area rather than in channels or deep pools; typical of healthy Everglades wetlands.
Specialist predator – A species that relies on a limited range of prey or habitat conditions (for example, the Snail Kite depends almost exclusively on apple snails).
Dry season (Everglades) – The period of lower rainfall (typically November to April) in the Everglades when water levels drop, concentrating prey and often increasing predator visibility.