Figure 1. Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
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Identification
The Mississippi kite (Fig 1) under parts, a dark gray dorsal surface, and a black unbarred tail. They have orange-red legs and feet, a very pale pearly-gray head red eyes, a. dark gray bill, and black wings tipped with a broad white patch on each rear edge that is visible in flight. Adult kites are approximately 14 inches (36 cm), have a wingspan of about 3 feet (0.9 m), and weigh 8 to 11 ounces (227 to 312 g). The male is lighter gray and smaller than the female. The call of an adult is a “phee-phew” whistle. Immature kites have heavy brown streaks below, and a notched black tail that is somewhat banded on the ventral surface. Young kites are covered with a fluffy white down that contrasts with their black eyes and bill
General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior
Most Mississippi kites probably winter in Argentina and Brazil. They often migrate in groups of 20 to 30, and usually arrive at their nesting sites in mid- to late April or early May. Their southward migration generally begins in early September, a few weeks after the young have fledged.
Mississippi kites generally begin nesting soon after their arrival in spring. They form pair bonds before arriving at nest sites and display little territorial behavior. Kites either repair old nests or construct new ones. Nests usually are concentrated in colonies. Many nests occur in elm (Ulmus spp.), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), willow (Salix spp.), hackberry (Celtis spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), and mesquite (Prosopis fuliflora) trees. Most nests, except for those constructed in elm and cotton-wood trees, are usually less than 20 feet (6 m) above the ground. Nests vary in size, ranging from 10 to 18 inches (25 to 46 cm) long and 10 to 14 inches (25 to 36 cm) wide. They usually are composed of small twigs and lined with leaves.
In late May or early June, kites lay 2 white to pale bluish white eggs about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) long and almost oval in shape. Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young. They usually lay only 1 clutch per year, which hatches after an incubation period of about 30 to 32 days. The young are able to fly and leave the nest 30 to 34 days after hatching.
About half the nesting kites successfully raise young. Major mortality factors include strong winds, usually a-sociated with summer thunderstorms, that blow out nestlings and destroy nests, and egg and nestling predators, including great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) and raccoons (Procyon lotor). Mississippi kites produce more young in urban (1.2 fledglings per nesting attempt) than in rural (0.6 fledglings per attempt) areas; the greater success has been related to lower predation. Kites usually live about 8 years.
Range and Habitat
Mississippi kites nest in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, southeastern Colorado, southern Kansas, and the eastern states from southern Missouri to South Carolina. The southern Great Plains is considered a stronghold for the species. Kites migrate in the fall to their wintering grounds in central South America.
Mississippi kites nest primarily along riparian areas and in mesquite (Prosopis spp.) thickets and tree plantings such as shelterbelts, windbreaks, farm woodlots, urban parks, and urban residential woodlots. Kites frequently use large windbreaks that are surrounded by native vegetation and have few nearby roads and homes. Shelterbelts planted in native grassland habitats likely have resulted in the westward expansion of the kite’s range. Kites usually perch in the open on bare branches or on television antennas.
Food Habits
Mississippi kites are primarily insectivorous. Their preference for insects that are harmful to crops, such as cicadas and grasshoppers, makes them economically beneficial. Most insects are captured by kites in flight. Kites supplement their diets with lizards, frogs, small turtles, rodents, small rabbits, and occasionally, small birds.
William F. Andelt. Extension Wildlife Specialist. Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology. Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
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