Our latest satellite tracking subject - the Tiger Creek kite - is now on line. Visit the Case History and Tracking Map pages for more information! Follow the migration of a rehabilitated Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) on an astonishing journey of over 4,000 miles from Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge near DeLeon Springs, Florida to its wintering habitat in South America. On Monday, August 28, 2000, a Swallow-tailed Kite that recovered from a shoulder injury was released in the Refuge to begin its migratory journey southward to Brazil. This kite is fitted with satellite and radio transmitters to track its migratory route and is also banded with a numbered U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service band for future identification. Come along on this incredible journey! The Case History tells the story of this injured bird's rescue, rehabilitation and release back to the wild. Read about the kite study and the solar-powered transmitter in Research. The Tracking Map shows the kite's flight path. Locations and coordinates are detailed in Observations. FAQ provides answers to some of the questions we've received via e-mail. Visit our Links page to learn more about kites and how you can help keep them flying free. Kite Site 2000 wishes to thank the following individuals and organizations: ARCI (Avian Research and Conservation Institute) - Biologist Ken Meyer of ARCI fitted this kite with the transmitter and will provide tracking data. Adopt-a-Bird - Kite Site 2000 is made possible by the volunteer efforts of Adopt-a-Bird. Visit our website to meet our raptor family and learn how you can sponsor their care. Audubon of Florida - Audubon of Florida's National Center for Birds of Prey rehabilitated this kite. Friends of Lake Woodruff - This dedicated volunteer group searches for nests and monitors kite roosts in the Refuge. Miami Museum of Science - The Falcon Batchelor Bird of Prey Center donated use of its flight cage to evaluate this kite's flight capability prior to release. Microwave Telemetry, Inc. - The prototype solar-powered satellite transmitter was donated by MTI. Kathy Paynter, Volusia County Wildlife Rehabilitator - Kathy rescued this kite from the Refuge. Note: This kite's migration will be monitored by Dr. Ken Meyer of the Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI). Dr. Meyer has been studying Swallow-tailed Kites since 1988. This is the second rehabilitated Swallow-tailed Kite released this year by Audubon's National Center for Birds of Prey with Dr. Meyer's assistance. In the U.S., the principal threat to kites is the rapid loss of habitat. Fortunately, the U.S. population, although small and reduced in distribution, probably will respond well to careful attention to habitat management and conservation efforts.

Send questions or comments to kitesite@adoptabird.org Return to Kite Site 2000 - http://www.adoptabird.org/kitesite

You can help with the Kite Site 2000 project by linking to us from your home page! Cut-and-paste HTML code for our animated banner link can be found at: http://www.adoptabird.org/kitesite/banner.html Kite Site 2000 is a volunteer effort sponsored by the Adopt-a-Bird program. Click the banner below to learn how you can help by sponsoring a member of our raptor family for yourself or as a special gift!