Raptors Kiawah is home to a number of beautiful raptors , some much more plentiful than others . Most obvious , and known for their distinctive calls , Kiawah ’ s ospreys can be seen soaring overhead throughout the year . Their large nests are found high in the tree canopy , typically near a water source such as a lagoon or the marsh , which will provide the fish on which they feed exclusively .
A second widely-seen raptor is the beautiful red-tailed hawk , named of course for its brick-red tail that shows as slightly orange when seen from below . Like most raptors , the female is larger than the male , and often mating pairs are seen flying in tandem . Red-tails mate for life and will only seek a new partner if their original mate dies . Many of us appreciate their appetite for snakes and small rodents such as the marsh rat .
A bit more elusive , bald eagles also reside throughout Kiawah . Most sightings occur between fall and spring — after that they will migrate north , sometimes as far as Canada . They are our largest raptors , with wingspans of up to eight feet . You are most likely to see them soaring over the marsh or the golf courses in search of food — typically carrion or dead fish , but sometimes small mammals . Their nests can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and are typically located on or near our marshes .
Additional raptors that can be found on Kiawah include Cooper ’ s and red-shouldered hawks , barred and screech owls , great-horned owls , peregrine falcons and northern harriers .
Wading Birds Some of our most beautiful residents ( especially to each other !) are the wading birds prevalent throughout the Island . One would have a good idea which species are common simply by reading our street signs — Blue Heron Pond Road , Snowy Egret Lane , Sora Rail Road , and Glossy Ibis Lane come to mind as some good examples . They can be found throughout the Island but are most prevalent around the edges of our lagoons and marshes .
The great blue heron is the largest heron found in North America — typically four to five feet tall with a wingspan of up to six feet . Drawn to Kiawah by our marshes and lagoons , the great blue feeds on small fish that it locates by sight and swallows whole . I ’ ve personally seen them trying to swallow fish that are much too large for their slender necks but somehow they manage to make it happen . Their long legs facilitate their fishing in deeper waters than other birds , allowing them to ingest up to four times their regular amounts while regurgitating to feed chicks — a responsibility that is shared by both parents .
Following closely behind the great blue , our great egrets are snow white with yellow beaks and black feet and will grow to
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