Invasive Snail Boosts Population of Endangered Bird in Florida

The key to increasing the population of a native endangered bird in Florida is the rapidly expanding population of an invasive snail.

Few species in Florida's Everglades are more dependent on the health of their habitat than the snail kite, an endangered bird.

The Everglade Snail Kite is a hawk-like raptor that only consumes snails.

As more of the Everglades were drained over the past century, the bird's population sharply decreased. But recently, a strange snail has helped the kite recover.

It's a rare instance when an invasive species has a beneficial effect.

The invasive snail species was discovered for the first time in 2004, according to Robert Fletcher, a professor at the University of Florida who oversees a snail kite monitoring program.

It quickly spread through most of the Everglades within a few years. The snail kite population began to rebound during that time.

Endangered Bird: Snail Kite

Slate gray for the males and blotchy brown for the females.

The endangered birds seem like they are floating on air when they take flight, thus, they are given such a name.

Due to their habitat, which is frequently hidden in the Everglades, their species were among the very last bird species to be discovered in the US.

According to Tyler Beck, who oversees the population of the threatened bird for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the species is specially adapted to survive almost entirely on an ingredient that is typically plentiful in freshwater marshes: apple snails.

In order to lift the shell out of the water then carry it away, Beck explained that the long talons of the endangered bird species hook around the shell and get a firm grip on it.

They can also pry the snails out of their shells using the long, hooked bill that they have.

The snail kite population fell over the past century as much of their habitat was dried up and water stopped flowing through certain areas of the Everglades.

In the 1960s, it became the very first birds to be listed as an endangered species, according to a 1999 study published in Research Gate.

The snail kite population was down to under 800 by 2007 due in part to droughts.

Invasive Snail: Island Apple Snail

Beck explains that soon after that, however, an invasive snail entered the area and immediately began to thrive, populating every wetland and experiencing enormous population booms.

The population of the snail kite has been gradually increasing ever since.

According to a count from last year, there are currently over 3,000 snail kites, he noted.

Despite the early season, field teams are discovering numerous nests that had eggs and live chicks.

According to Samuel Chan, an expert on invasive species at Oregon State University, the pet or aquarium trade is most likely how the island apple snail, originally from South America, ended up in Florida.

This type of snail outcompeted the local species and took control because it was more resistant to dry conditions, CBC reported.

They are related to Florida apple snails and are commonly found in aquariums in private homes.

The invasive species, the Island apple snail, is larger than its Florida-based cousin and can be found in habitats similar to those in South America.

It produces thousands of eggs, which are seen in pink clusters clinging on the stalks of many marsh plants.

The snail kite has benefited from restoration work in Florida's Everglades, which has also revived native plants and allowed water to flow once-dry marshes.

The invasive snail, according to scientists, may have ended up saving the snail kite.

However, Fletcher is worried about the species' potential long-term effects on the Everglades.

In contrast to relying on invasive snails to increase native bird populations, he argued that native snail populations should be restored because invasive species have negative effects on the ecosystem.

Some native marsh plants may already be suffering due to the South American snails, indicating trouble may be on the horizon. In the interim, they have assisted in saving Florida's threatened snail kite from extinction, NPR reported.