​Shadow (passed away in 2025) was a male swallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus). He was found in 2014 in Barbour County, WV, and readily approached humans, leading to the belief that he was raised by people.

Swallow-tailed kites are typically found in Florida and other southern states, including coastal Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This migratory species overwinters throughout much of South America.

Extremely graceful on the wing, swallow-tailed kites eat primarily insects caught in flight. They also sometimes hunt small amphibians, reptiles, and birds. At the ACCA, Shadow's favorite food was super worms, but he also ate waxworms, mealworms, dubia roaches, mice, and chicks. He was outgoing and friendly, and when one of his human friends approached, he sang to us. He was very loved and we will miss him forever.

For more information about this species: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swallow-tailed_Kite

Shadow, waiting for someone to hand him a super worm.