The snail kite is a bird of prey within the family Accipitridae, which also includes the eagles, hawks, and Old World vultures. Its relative, the slender-billed kite, is now again placed in Helicolestes, making the genus Rostrhamus monotypic. Usually, it is placed in the Milvine kites, but the validity of that grouping is under investigation.

This Snail Kite was photographed at Sepulveda Basin Ecological Reserve, LA, CA on April 1, 2026. View all Snail Kite photos →