The Mississippi Kite makes a streamlined silhouette as it careens through the sky on the hunt for small prey, or dive-bombs intruders that come too close to its nest tree. It is a bird of the Lower Austral Zone, being seen chiefly in the Southern States from South Carolina and northern Florida to Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Distribution / Habitat Summer / Breeding Range Mississippi Kite: Small kite, dark gray upperparts, pale gray underparts and head. The child’s toy kite was named after the birds, not the other way around. In exchange, you may periodically see 30-second advertisements. The Mississippi Kite has been spotted nesting in a Parkville neighborhood. Mississippi Kite, September, Western Kansas? Tail is long and black. Mississippi Kites have been breeding in Greensboro for the last 5 seasons. The bird of prey has been expanding its habitat in recent years. Mississippi kites are graceful small hawks that can float on air currents almost effortlessly. More. The Mississippi kite spends much of its time in the air, using its talons to catch large insects, mostly dragonflies. Video: Webcams and videos are hosted by third parties. Bird Identification Q&A. BirdForum is the net's largest birding community, dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE! Mississippi Kite This small, pointed-winged kite looks more like a falcon than any other of our kites. The Mississippi Kite makes a streamlined silhouette as it careens through the sky on the hunt for small prey, or dive-bombs intruders that come too close to its nest tree. Feeds on large flying insects. It will eat many other small animals as well, including reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Adult Mississippi kites are falcon-shaped with light gray underparts, a dark gray dorsal surface, and a black unbarred tail. Bouyant flight with steady wing beats, alternates several wing strokes with short to long glides. The Mississippi kite (Fig. This kite is known to nest very high in trees, sometimes in excess of 30 m (100 ft) (Baicich & Harrison 1997, Bent 1937). This can make the bird somewhat of a nuisance when it chooses to roost in populated urban spots such as golf courses or schools. While the Mississippi kite is not an endangered species, it is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which protects the birds, their eggs, and their nests (occupied or empty) from being moved or tampered with without the proper permits. The Mississippi Kite can also tolerate urban environments and is common in some cities including Garden City, Kansas and Lubbock, Texas (Bolen & Flores 1993). The Mississippi kite (_Ictinia mississippiensis_) is one of the common raptors of Kansas, occurring regularly and abundantly in summer in that part of the state south of the Arkansas River. Eyes are red. 1) is a member of the family Accipitridae, a group of diurnal birds of prey. The child’s toy kite was named after the birds, not the other way around. All webcams have seasonal changes and may be down for hours, weeks, or months at a time. These sleek, pearly gray raptors often hunt together and nest colonially in stands of trees, from windbreaks on southern prairies to old-growth bottomlands in the Southeast (and even on city parks and golf courses). Listen for the Blue Jay in the background! Range and Habitat. They have an average lifespan of 7 - 8 years. Mississippi Kite are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which makes it illegal to harm, or take into possession, the adults, their eggs or their young, or to tamper with their nests (empty or occupied) without the proper permits. MISSISSIPPI KITE ICTINIA MISISIPPIENSIS (Wilson) HABITS As I have never seen this kite in life, I shall have to rely wholly on the observations of others. Mississippi kites are graceful small hawks that can float on air currents almost effortlessly. BirdNote does not endorse any of the products, services, or causes on third-party pages. Upperwings are dark gray with pale gray patches. Adult kites are approximately 14 inches (36 cm) long, have a wingspan of about 3 feet (0.9 m), and weigh 8 to 11 ounces (227 to 312 g). Mississippi Kites in Kansas. * Mississippi Kite. This elegant, graceful, medium-sized hawk cuts an elegant profile over Byway woods and grasslands. These sleek, pearly gray raptors often hunt together and nest colonially in stands of trees, from windbreaks on southern prairies to old-growth bottomlands in the Southeast (and even on city parks and golf courses).