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
57