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Posted by Chris Takacs on 19:07:23 03/10/10
This is from Birders United, http://www.birdersunited.com/
Snail Kite Facing New Danger in South Florida
Posted on Mar 9th, 2010 | Comments
The endangered snail kite is facing a new threat from an invasive species that is reducing the bird s main food source. The snail kite, which is found in central and southern Florida, feasts mainly on the apple snail. But the island apple snail, native to South America, has been introduced into the environment. The island apple snail is considerably bigger than the apple snail, making it difficult for young snail kites to feed on them. Thus, if the larger variety becomes dominant, young snail kites will starve.
University of Florida biologists estimate there are only 700 snail kites left in the wild. They predict that if nothing is done to curtail the spread of the larger island apple snail, the snail kite will become extinct within 30 years.
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