BREEDING CHRONOLOGY OF SNAIL KITES (ROSTRHAMUS SOCIABILIS PLUMBEUS) IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA WETLANDS

Abstract The breeding chronology of Florida Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) was studied at 6 wetlands in central and south Florida during 1987–1993. Average hatch date pooled for all nests was 27 April ± 36.1 days and ranged from 10 February to 29 August (n = 630 nests). Significant differences in mean hatch dates existed between wetlands and among years at individual wetlands. While hatch date was not correlated with longitude, there was a significant positive correlation between hatch date and latitude suggesting a general increase in hatch date as nesting progressed north. Snail Kite breeding cycles did not appear to be closely associated with water levels during the January to July period at either Lake Kissimmee or Lake Okeechobee. Kite breeding also did not appear to be closely associated with air temperatures during the same period at either Lake Kissimmee or Lake Okeechobee. However, the passing of cold fronts early in the year did delay the initiation of new nests.