Recent increase in the distribution of the snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) along the central Pacific Coast of México

Resumen

New records of the snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) are presented for the central Pacific Coast of Mexico.
From April 2010 to August 2011, weekly or biweekly surveys were made through several wetlands of coastal Jalisco
and Colima. We recorded 32 snail kites from October 2010 to August 2011. The recordings were in 8 wetlands. In
all wetlands there was only 1 individual, except in the lagoons El Aguacate (June 2010) and El Tule (August 2012),
where we recorded 3 and 5 individuals, respectively. Although we did not find any nests, we believe reproduction of
snail kites is currently occurring because of the observed adult behavior (carrying small branches in its feet) and the
records of juveniles during the month of February to July, a time corresponding to the breeding season of the species in
Florida. Our records expand the distribution of the snail kite in Mexico as much as 900 km northwest of the previously
published distribution of the species.