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Migration
Nonmigratory but seminomadic in response to water depths, hydroperiods, food availability, vegetation growth, nutrient loads, and other habitat changes (Sykes 1978, 1983a, Beissinger and Takekawa 1983, Bennetts et al. 1994a). Nonbreeding individuals disperse widely on a frequent basis as revealed by radio-tracking and marked individuals (Sykes 1979, 1983a, Beissinger 1988, Snyder et al. 1989b, Bennetts and Kitchens 1992, Bennetts et al. 1994a). Shifts in distribution may be long-term, annual, seasonal, or short-term (Bennetts 1993, Bennetts et al. 1994a). Considerable shifts can take place between areas among years (Rodgers et al. 1988), between areas within a given nesting season (Beissinger 1986), within areas in a given season, and within or between areas for several days to a few weeks (Bennetts et al. 1986). Beissinger (1988) noted movement following completion of nesting activity; during colder winters, birds in northern part of range tend to move south in peninsula (Sykes 1983a). No evidence of movement between Florida and Cuba, but possibility exists (Sykes 1979, Beissinger et al. 1983).
Sykes, Jr., P. W., J. A. Rodgers, Jr. and R. E. Bennetts. 1995. Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/171
