Kissimmee Valley Audubon Society

07/30/2026

https://www.fox13news.com/news/st-pete-hotel-owner-arrested-accused-plot-deter-endangered-bird-from-property

Two men face criminal charges after state wildlife investigators uncovered a plot to scatter over 1,000 toxic mothballs across St. Pete Beach to disrupt a vital shorebird nesting area.

05/06/2026

🚨 Urgent Call for New Leaders 🚨
After 59 years of protecting birds, wildlife, and habitats here in Central Florida, the Kissimmee Valley Audubon Society is at risk of closing. Without new board members, we won’t be able to continue field trips, community programs, and conservation work.
👉 We need passionate people (no experience required!) who love nature and want to make a difference. Training and support are available.
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, now is the time. Your leadership could keep our chapter alive.
📩 Email us at [email protected]
-Note: We did put out this message last summer but didn't have the ability to get back to folks. Please reach out if you want to get involved.

04/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to our event today, and a big thank you to Dr. Ken Meyer of Avian Research and Conservation Institute - www.arcinst.org for sharing his expertise!

Here’s what we learned about Swallow-tailed Kites:

These birds do almost everything on the wing, typically only landing to roost, nest, or mate.

They’re highly social and gather in communal roosts. Interestingly, they have been seen changing roost locations in the middle of the night to avoid predators like owls.

Their diet is incredibly varied. They eat things like insects, reptiles, amphibians, and more. They will even grab entire wasp nests! They carefully pick out each larva and will even incorporate the wasp nest in their own nest construction.

They are very particular about nesting location. They choose tall pine trees that rise above the canopy, ideally with a flatter top to support a nest placed right in the center. While they nest in pines, they build using cypress twigs, lichens, and hanging mosses.

They like to use commercial timber lands as nesting sites.

Young Swallow-tailed Kites have rusty colored heads that gradually fade to white. Unlike most birds, this color change happens without molting. It’s the same feathers changing over time.

Each year, they migrate about 5,000 miles to South America. During this journey, they can fly for up to four days and nights nonstop over open ocean before needing fresh water.

And some good news: Swallow-tailed Kite populations are currently increasing!

Stay tuned for part 2, where we’ll share what we learned about the Southeastern American Kestrel.

04/03/2026