Near Lake Okeechobee, FL

"The Kite lives in the Everglades of Florida, and throughout central and south Florida. Because of its limited diet, the numbers of birds go down rapidly when its habitat is altered or destroyed. The Snail Kite eats mainly apple snails, and requires open water to find their food easily. Marsh draining, hunting by farmers who believe them pests, and drought all play a role in its declining numbers. In 1972, there were only 65 birds left. When the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, the Snail Kite went on the list.

The preservation of this species is working, if slowly. In 1997, Snail Kite population increased to 995 birds."