The white-tailed kite (Elanus lleucurus) has caught a California vole (Microtus californicus), its primary prey. After securing its grip, the kite takes off. It will carry the vole to a treetop before enjoying its repast. Birding Transect Trail, 9:29:58 am. See a nearby folder for a sequence of kite activities: kiting, descending, flying off with a vole -- then sitting in a safe perch at the top of a tree, devouring the catch.