Mississippi Kite
Buoyant in Flight
by Alexandre Gavashelshvili (August 1997)
Not many raptors can match the buoyancy, ease and grace with which Mississippi kites conquer the sky. During their brief courtship period, the kites' aerial displays to their prospective mates are a sight to behold.
Throughout the year, they occupy much of their time in flight during which they catch large flying insects, mostly dragonflies, on the wing.
As soon as a kite locates suitable prey it dashes and catches it in midair with its talons, and often eats it in flight. They sometimes takes insects on the ground and in trees, and will readily take every opportunity to grab reptiles, amphibians and any other small living creatures as well.
As the fall sets in and the flying insects slowly disappear, Mississippi kites gather in large flocks for their southbound migration, spending the winter in South America as far south as Argentina, and returning north during the warm days of mid-April. Each spring and fall several thousand migrating kites are seen funneling through a narrow pathway at the southernmost tip of Texas.
Mississippi kites sometime wander quite far north and west of their breeding range
which is restricted to the southern Great Plains and the southeastern United States, with isolated breeding colonies in Arizona and New Mexico. Fortunately, unlike most raptors all over the world, both the population and range of Mississippi Kite are increasing.
More about the Mississippi Kite
Recent Birds of the Month:
Comments (95):
- Helpful,.....I have what appears to be a mated pair on my frarm in Neshoba Co. Ms.........been seeing them for 5 years now.....they sometimes follow my tractor as I bushhog the pastures.......have watched them take large bugs on the wing
6/28/2007
- I too have long enjoyed watching the Kites as they eat the large grasshoppers and other flying insects as I mow my hayfield in Amite co Ms. Few birds can match their graceful and efficient swoops as they freefall then seize their prey and eat it while climbing to circle again. Seldom do they miss. I look forward to them each year.
7/5/2007
- I was hoping to read more on this awesome bird. We've had them 3 summers in a row now, in Payne County, Oklahoma, we live in a housing addition just outside of a small town. A small group of them (I've seen up to 12 all together) sit in an old tree, the tallest in the neighborhood, then they go swooping down to catch their next meal. I just love sitting on the front porch watching them circle gracfully overhead.
7/16/2007
- I have seen these Birds nest around my home for aprx. 15 years now. I have only seen one pair of birds each year. I would like to know what kind of life span these birds have. Also this is the first year that I have heard of these birds flying down over people. Seems they have moved to a different tree (an Elm) closer to our new neighbors. I know the birds are protecting their young, but seems these people don't. Again about the age, now wondering if this is the same pair each year. I enjoy looking for them each year and wathing to see if they raise one or two young ones. The kite is an amazing bird to watch in flight. I live in West Texas.
7/18/2007
- I live in northwest Louisiana, and this is the first year I have seen these birds around here.
I have a very tall pin oak tree in my front yard, that has dead branches in the top, and it has become a landing area for as many as nineteen of these beautiful birds at one time.
They seem unafraid of people, because I photograph and watch them thru binoculars every day.
I especially like to watch them in flight.
8/2/2007
- I enjoyed the comments. I found the comments were similar to my observations.
8/6/2007
- I have observed 6-8 kites, perched in a tall, dead cottonwood tree near my home in Norman, OK. They are there early each morning. They will swoop down near the ground to catch a meal and then return to the tree. I haven't seen them for a couple of days so I am wondering if they have started their migration.
8/29/2007
- Two Mississippi Kites in Ogallala, Nebraska this morning.
Two Kites have been there for several years. Ogallala is in Western Nebraska right off I-80.
9/4/2007
- I love these birds! They're some of my fav birds! :D
12/19/2007
- I love it it was very he;pful!!!
3/25/2008
- pie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4/29/2008
- it was cool!
4/29/2008
- For the second year in a row, these birds have nested across the street and atop an oak tree in Columbus, Ga. They left last fall and I'm glad to see they've come back to same spot, which fascinates me. I noticed them around May 5th, 2008. Beautiful colored bird, almost a slate color.
5/8/2008
- I live in south Tulsa county,OK and this is the first year i have ever seen these amazing birds. There are two pair and are so much fun to watch.They are the most graceful bird in flight i have ever seen. I have several amazing pictures including a couple of them mating. What a beautiful sight.
5/15/2008
- Thanks for the photographs. I live in Boutte, Louisiana and over the past several weeks I have photographed a pair of Mississippi Kites feeding over and around our area. At first I thought they were young eagles but are now convinced otherwise. I have a beautiful photograph of one of them curled up taking its prey out of its talons. Needless to say this is a once-in-a-lifetime photograph!
5/18/2008
- I've seen them for several years in my subdivision in Grapevine, Tx. Today, I saw one in a tree next door and two in flight. One of the kites flew down to the roosted bird and appeared to be mating. It soon left, but then returned repeatedly all day long. I was working on a day-long backyard project so I had the opportunity to observe them up close.
5/18/2008
- I'm in Mount Pleasant, SC & for the past couple of years we've had them by the dozens in the summer. They just arrived again this year and our guess is that there are a couple hundred of them. My family still farms about 400 acres & you can watch them all day doing their acrobatics.
5/20/2008
- There are many Kites near our home in Tulsa, OK. We are located on the west side, on the north bank of the Arkansas river. It is not unusual to see seven or more at a time cruising the sky at different altitudes. We raise roller pigeons and they are attracted to them, but have not attempted taking one as prey, yet. They are very graceful and fun to watch. I have also seen several individuals away from the river, in more of a range/small pockets of oak forest areas.
5/20/2008
- we have 4 or so in our neighborhood in columbia south carolina. we love watching them and hope they stay.
5/26/2008
- Live in Metairie, LA (suburb of New Orleans), and have a pair of Kites roaming the neighborhood living in my neighbor's oak tree. Quite a site for a heavy population area.
5/27/2008
- This is the second year we've had nesting pairs in our backyard. They have an interesting call which I can hear indoors. I'd never seen them before and some bird watchers pointed them out to me and told me what they were. This is rare for our area of Texas. Perhaps the recent hurricanes drove them further inland? I was told they migrate and was surprised when they came back to the same tree this year. Last year I counted at least 8 flying around our subdivision. We live in DeSoto, TX. They are beautiful to watch fly.
5/31/2008
- We have seen several kites this summer for the first time. We live in Beaumont, Texas and during the month of May have seen two flying above our street sitting in the hugh oak trees. They left and today we have seen two more in the same area around our home. They are very graceful and fun to watch.
5/31/2008
- We live in the middle of San Angelo, TX . We have one pair nested in our pecan tree. This is the third year they have nested. They seem to be eating more of the sparrow population then grass hoppers. I thought they were sparrow hawks at first, until I matched the birds on the internet. They are a great sight to see.
5/31/2008
- Kites have been in our Wichita Falls, Tx subdivision for the last few years. This year we have a pair that has nested in our Live Oak. We have been watching them daily through binoculars and they do not seem to mind so far! They are very interesting and beautiful birds. Enjoyed your information.
6/3/2008
- Had 3 of these over the house this afternoon when I got home; two quite high and one that remained over the immediate area around our house .. maybe max. 20ft. over the house ? Stayed around for a good 15-20 minutes … probably trying to decide if it was really interested in the squirrel a Red Tail hawk had just dropped from an oak tree next door, when I drove into our driveway. VERY COOL !!!
I live in Brunswick, GA, very close to the salt marsh.
6/5/2008
- While i agree this is an interesting and handsome bird, the nesting pair that inhabits the 8th hole of my local golf course has added two strokes to my game. It is hard to keep your concentration when constantly waiting to be zoomed by an overly protective parent.
6/19/2008
- Great site and good information on these beautiful birds. I live south of the Dallas-Ft Worth metroplex in Johnson county. I usually see 1 or 2 flying when I go out in my yard or even when I'm driving somewhere. I've seen them while playing golf at Lake Murray, OK and in Arlington, TX. I first saw this bird land on top of a cedar tree in my yard. I observed it forever and couldn't figure out what kind of bird it was. Had an idea it was a kestrel or kite of some sort. My cousin in Arcadia, OK emailed me that he had a pair of these birds near his house. I was thrilled when I made the ID!
6/26/2008
- I live in Goodland KS, and although they are very graceful and amazing birds, our neighborhood has been attacked several times by these birds. It makes it very difficult for anyone to walk, ride a bike, or even stroll a child down the street. I have seen 23 flying above my back yard. I've very curious to see how many return to our neighborhood next year!
7/6/2008
- I live in Marlow Oklahoma and have had pairs of Kites here for the last 3 years. This year there is a nest in an oak tree near the house with 2 chicks. The parents are very attentive all day long. It is a joy to watch them in flight and taking care of the nest. Beautifull to say the least.
7/9/2008
- These birds are amazing! I live in Pontotoc county in Oklahoma and five or six of these kite are overhead most of the day. I see them eating (insects) from their talons without any difficulty during flight. Thanx for the article!
7/14/2008
- Really sad day for us. We had a pair who nested in our live oak. We have been watching them from an amazingly close distance with no problems. Two chicks hatched and the parents were astounding in taking care of them. Yesterday we found both chicks dead in the nest. We are assuming that an owl could have got to them. The chicks were very close to flying on their own. We live in Wichita Falls Tx.
7/18/2008
- I live in Zachary, LA, just noth of Baton Rouge and I am seeing these amazing birds for the first time this sumer. I grew up in a family of bird watchers and I find it interesting that I've never seen them before, but recently, I can't go a day without seeing at least 15 or twenty. I hope this group of kites keep this area in their migratory pattern for years to come. I can watch them for hours!!
8/3/2008
- This morning, while taking our two 8-lb. puppies outside, a single Kite swooped so low, I could have touched it if I wasn't so concerned about the puppies. Later today, the Kite came back, circling the yard. The next thing I knew it was in a dive pattern, coming within 5 feet of myself and one of the puppies. They are beautiful to watch, but very dangerous to small pets. I can't wait until they migrate!! I live in Panhandle, Carson County, Texas.
8/4/2008
- A storm recently came thru & knocked a very large tree down in which i found a "young" Ms Kite lying under it with a broken leg. Just took it to the vet & they are going to "fix" it & allow me to attempt to raise it until it is healthy enough to release! Awsome & beautiful bird, cant wait to help it. I'm in Greenville, Ms
8/4/2008
- I have become a friend to these birds after learning a liitle about them. First time I have seen them in Goodland and knew nothing about them. People on my street have been getting attacked all summer, including myself and my son. They are nesting in a tree in front of the neighbors house, and litteraly "dive bomb" anyone strolling down the street. They are powerful birds. I hope they come back in the years to come. Slip on a hat and all is fine...lol
8/4/2008
- I live in Salina, KS and recently moved to a home on the edge of town along a creek bank with lots of tall old cottonwood trees. I have spent the spring and summer watching three Mississippi Kites circle and soar much to my delight. They are beautiful and facinating creatures and I will be sad to see them leave this fall. Hopefully they will return next spring.
8/10/2008
- I recently found a baby kite sitting in the top of my split leaf philodendrum. I put it in a cage to protect it from cats and immediately called a rehabber. It is a beautiful baby (big). I did not know what it was until the rehabber called me and I began to review articles on the internet. There are quite a few of them flying around in my area. The noise that they make is what attracts my attention. I will try to track its progress with the rehabber. I live in Bay City, TX.
8/11/2008
- I live in a suberb just west of St.Louis, Mo and have had a pair of Kites circling our neighborhood this summer. It was the sounds they make that first drew my attention to them. Since we have had a cooler summer with windows open, I can't help but run outside to watch them every time I hear their call.
8/12/2008
- Thank you for the information. I have wondered where these beautiful birds migrate to and from. They have been in our neighborhood for about 5 years now and we always look forward to seeing them.
Arlington, TX.
8/14/2008
- I live in Memphis, TN and have watched the Mississippi kites soar for many years. They are plentiful in the tree-filled suburbs and I have even seen them in the city, flying over parks. They are amazing flyers!
8/15/2008
- There is a flock or colony of these Kites living in a pecan orchard in Smiths, Al, which is in east Alabama,near the Georgia line, they are playful and beautiful to watch!
8/19/2008
- I live in Denison,Tx and have watched these birds for the last three years who appeared out of no-where. I could not get any information on what species they are even from the local Gamewarden. But now I have found what they are on my own and I am excited to know more about them. Thanks for this article. PMH
8/24/2008
- Thank you for this info and comments. Today my husband and I stopped on a gravel road in the Celina and Pilot Point area while on the way to our ranch because we saw seven of these beauties flying with one gorgeous swallow tailed kite. It was wonderful and we grabbed our bird book we keep in the truck but were uncertain untill I found this site tonight. They were all swoopng in on those nasty grasshoppers and maybe a few dragonflies. Thanks for the site! 8-24-2008
8/24/2008
- Well now I know what is nesting in our Oak tree in the backyard. Our girls refuse to jump on the trampoline as the Kites dive bomb them each time they go out back. I don't seem to have a problem being dive bombed though. Does anyone know if they return to the same nest after migration? Do they pair for life?
8/25/2008
- I've been watching several (4/5?) small hawklike birds in my suburban Wash.,D.C. neighborhood since last April. They were perching in the topmost bare branches of a neighbor's tree on my walking route. Recently, I met a photographer with his hugh camera and tripod taking pictures in their exact location and finally got an identification. What a tremendous discovery. Now I have a name to several beautiful birds! How usual is it for this species to be this far north and east? My bird book places them in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. B.A.S.
8/25/2008
- We live near BootHill in Ogallala, Nebraska to where many a birder travels to catch site of these awesome birds. Until a few years ago, before the big old cottonwoods were cut down, the Kites nested in them annually. We are not sure of their nesting area now but think it is further south. We watch the KItes nearly everyday soaring overhead and sometimes they are quite close. Today we observed a fledgling resting in a nearby elm and being fed by a parent. Both returned to the same tree again later. Then they would soar again. Tonight, between new fledglings in the air and apparently migration beginning, it is a real aerial sight to behold.
8/28/2008
- A pair has been nesting and raising young and catching dragonflies and grasshoppers for 3 yrs around my place Sth of Arcadia lake, NE of Oklahoma City. I found the nest last year, way up in a white oak tree growing out of a brushy creek bottom. They spend the summer gliding around our neighborhood, what a show!
9/3/2008
- Thanks for the helpful information; I had to find information on the Mississippi Kite for English.
9/23/2008
- The mated pair in an oak tree in the front yard have left. They raised one chick in Grapevine, TX. I assume thet are on their way now. Perhaps I'll see them next year. They've been around for two years and this year they nested. One of them flew to within 10 feet of my head when they first nested but they seemed to get used to me mowing the yard, etc., and didn't bother me again.
9/29/2008
- I'm sure I saw a Mississippi kite in Central Minnesota today October 25 2008. As I was driving my first thought was a gull on top of the electric pole. No that isn't a gull, as I drove by I knew it was a hawk type bird and I have lived in this state all of my life and had never seen a white hawk. Since it was a country highway I was able to turn around and go back. I got a good look at it, but since I stopped it was afraid and flew. All of the descriptions say their wings are long and this was, but the wings seemed broder than the descriptions. Could it have been anything else. It was very white on the head and at least part of its wings. Location was about 6 miles east of Emily, MN
10/25/2008
- We are in a rural area near Fairhope, Alabama on the eastern shore of Mobile bay. This morning 1.22.09 we have approximately 50 - 75 kites in trees at the woodline behind our house. Very beautiful but also a little creepy as they resemble vultures somewhat, all standing gaurd in a couple of dead trees. My 95 lb labrador loves to bark at them although we are a little concerned abouit the 5 lb yorkie that lives here too! Our five kids love it, we watch them riding the air currents in big soaring circles. Have been growing in numbers for the past two weeks, but are around in some number all year.
1/23/2009
- I live in Tuscaloosa, AL and M. Kites have appeared in our outlying subdivision for the last 5 years or more. I have seen them mating from my front yard on high Oak tree perches. This is Feb. 13, 2009 and at least one pair has been here for at least a month as I can identify their distinctive call and see them soaring overhead. They soar overhead of our neighborhood which is close to a river and lake and make their very loud cry. I do not know if they live here year round or if this is just part their migratory pattern. Beautiful birds.
2/13/2009
- I live on a Mississippi farm, and those birds have flown in my house about 18 times now.
2/22/2009
- My parents have several nesting pairs on their property east of Forrest City, Arkansas on Crowley's Ridge. They love feasting on swarms of Japanese Beetles/June Bugs that fly around the yard...sometimes thousands of them. One thing is for sure, they never have a lack of food. Beautiful birds.
I have never seen them where I live in Alexandria, KY near Cincinnati.
2/25/2009
- This afternoon while hanging out clothes in my Oklahoma City backyard, I heard some high-pitched squeals above me and observed at least 200 Mississippi Kites flying from the SSE to the NNW. This is a conservative guess on the numbers--it took several minutes for them all to pass.
4/13/2009
- They are moving Eastward as well, this eveing we spotted about 50, in groups of 5-7, moving East over Magnolia Texas after the weather passed.
4/18/2009
- We love to watch the Mississippi kites and saw our first of the season today in Texarkana, TX. Hope they nest in the top of the same sweet gum tree as last year. We watched them raise two chicks and saw their first awkward flight from tree to tree. What beautiful birds!
4/24/09
4/24/2009
- We saw 4 kites in a dead tree in a park in Hurst, Texas. We were very close to them and we were very noisy, but they didn't seem to mind. It was located above a creek and they looked like they were hunting for dragonflies. Thanks for this great website, because we were able to identify them.
4/26/2009
- I live in the downtown area of Lake City ,Fl.I have a lot next to my home that is full of large oak trees.For the last 3 years I've noticed a pair of Mississippi Kites.I love to watch them dive at full speed.
4/28/2009
- My brother lives just outside Dunnellon, FL. We were thrilled 2 yrs. ago to see one Mississippi Kite. This year there are 12. They follow the tractor and soar over the pastures. Absolutely beautiful!! 5/4/2009
5/4/2009
- I live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and always look forward to the kite migration in our state. I have been watching them for 2 yrs. now and they make me feel as if I were soaring with them. I have an old leafless elm tree in my yard. I have counted six at one time in the tree. I have nesting parents in my neighbors tree. This year for the first time I will be able to see the young ones learning how to fly. What a beautiful bird.
5/21/2009
- This is the second year a Kite has appeared in back yard in Waco, Texas. Last year a pair were often seen in a dead Hackberry tree. Apparently they feast on Cicadas that inhabit the area. I will keep my eyes open for the other one and the nest.
5/23/2009
- I have two of what I think are Mississippi Kites in my front yard here in Tulsa Oklahoma. They are solid grey in front and very sleek and shinny. They seem to be as described by others in that they sit and stay in the trees for long periods of time. We are very lucky to have them. I don't think that they have been here before.
5/28/2009
- A pair of these beautiful birds has built a nest in the large elm just outside my back door in southeast New Mexico. Three days ago they started incubating. I sit under the tree watching them share the job. Before getting settled, the reliever gives me a long look as if to say, "You can stay if you mind your manners". The one not on the nest perches in a taller pecan tree in the neighbor's yard and doesn't hesitate to drive grackles away when they get too close.
I'm amazed at how fast they are. They really seem to enjoy flying.
5/30/2009
- I saw a pair of these yesterday on a branch of a dead tree in my front yard in Edmond OK. They did not seem to be distracted by either myself or cars on the street. The area I live in is at the north end of Oklahoma County in a semi-rural neighborhood that is mostly wooded and acre+ yards. There would be good hunting for them in this are with frog and insects a-plenty.
6/10/2009
- interesting...I live in Pearl, MS. There are a pair that nest in the trees not far from my house and have been there for a number of years...It is a subdivision with 1-2 acres per house. My neighbors had to chase them away yesterday...they were going after my cat!!!!!! I liked them, now I'm not so sure about them! I am ready for them to go away!
6/11/2009
- i think that this article is very nice. it gives you a lot of info
6/12/2009
- To number 66, Kites do not eat cats. They prefer insects, bats and an occasional insect.
6/18/2009
- I saw this bird for the first time in May when my husband and I drove through Canadian, TX and went for a walk on a wooden bridge over the Canadian River on the edge of town. It was perched on a limb in a tree and I was impressed by its beauty. I was able to take a photograph of it but still didn't know what it was until I checked in a book on birds I have at home. Your photograph and article was very helpful.
6/23/2009
- I saw three of these birds in my back yard yesterday. They were amazing to watch. Didn't seem spooky at all. They were perched on dead branches in a sweetgum tree. I didn't know what they were until I did some research. The siting in Claiborne Parish, LA.
6/25/2009
- Excellent article!
#66 from Pearl, MS - Mississippi Kites do not have any desire to do harm to (or eat) any person, cat, or dog. It was only trying to urge the cat to go away. They have buzzed me many times without any hint of agression.
http://panhandlebirds.blogspot.com/search/label/Mississippi%20Kite
6/27/2009
- We love our kites! We have a pair that has returned to our neighborhood in Sherman,TX for at least the fourth year. The past two years they have had a young bird with them and this year we think they are nesting again. They come early each morning to the top of our dead pine tree before starting the day's hunting and usually return to the tree in late evening before disappearing to their nest, wherever that is. Beautiful!!
7/4/2009
- i have some im my oak tree how do u get them from diving after u but they are beautiful birds
7/8/2009
- I live in Lawton, OK. There are so many of these beautiful birds living here it seems unbelievable. I have seen seven or more close to my Mom's home, I don't know how many living in a grove south of west Gore blvd and at least three or four behind my home. There is a nest in a very large locust tree in the backyard of the house behind mine. They fly and glide so effortlessly, make a cool sound and are just too cool.
7/11/2009
- This morning my neighbors and I watched 7 kites circle and then perch in the tallest pine tree near our houses in NW Gainesville, FL. They preened and scratched themselves, and then 2 of them mated. My neighbor commented that they fly as gracefully as a dolphin swims. July 12, 2009
7/12/2009
- Very good article, very informative. We have a nesting pair now after they blew into S. Illinois on the heels of our "in-land hurricane" May 8th. They are very graceful and my wife and I enjoy watching them.
7/12/2009
- Yesterday afternoon & this morning I watched two parent birds feeding a youngster that was as almost as big at they were. They were in a tall pine behind my home in Ludowici, GA. The youngster was calling constantly to make sure they knew where he was. There are several pairs of Mississippi & Swallowtail Kites that now nest on or near our property. What a thrill! What beauty!
7/20/2009
- I live in Augusta Georgia and have thoroughly enjoyed watching a pair return to the area for the past 3-4 years and raise a brood. They are a beauty to watch!
7/24/2009
- Great article I found through my Iphone app Ibird. I became facinated with these beatiful raptors when we moved in our new home in Bixby, OK just north of the Arkansas river. We've seem as many as 5-6 of them soaring near our home. They often perch in a big pecan tree our back yard. What a wonderful bird. Danny C.
7/26/2009
- I believe I have 4-6 immature kites in my yard here in Denver, Colorado. We have also seen a couple of adults.
7/26/2009
- Just beginning to notice about six or more of these birds in the Maize Kansas area. We are a suburb of Wichita and although they are fascinating I am beginning to wonder about all my small wrens and hummingbirds that I love to watch. They seem to be disappearing along with the squirels.
7/26/2009
- These are beautiful to watch. Three of them have spent the summer around our yard in Oklahoma - and they sometimes watch my caique through the window.
7/28/2009
- Last summer there were a pair of kites that roosted in a tree at will rogers park in OKC. I was playing disc golf and something hit me on the head knocking my hat off. I turned around thinking someone had thrown a frisbee and there was noone there. About that time I saw a kite diving directly towards me. Despite their overprotective behavoir they are beautiful birds.
7/29/2009
- I have recently noticed a colony of Mississippi Kites near our high school football field in Waurika, Oklahoma. I didn't notice them while mowing and working around the field until about a week ago. Now it takes me about five hours to do the work I had been doing in two hours earlier in the summer, because I spend so much time watching these birds. My only disappointment is that they are not eagles, since that is our team mascot. I am still telling our players that I have "pet eagles" at the football field!!
8/8/2009
- We live in Tuscaloosa, Al and this is the first time we have seen these birds. Three days ago we noticed 4 in the dead top of an oak tree next door. They seem to prefer the dead tops of tall trees. Today we have 8, flying around our yard. They are wonderful to watch and I hope they will continue to visit with us. We had to grab the bird book to identify them. but they are so distentive, I am sure they are Ms. Kites. I would like to know if they are usually seen in this area. We are not avid bird watchers, usually just bird feeders.
8/8/2009
- First sighting of 3 of these last year and have a pair back this year. Very graceful bird and will fly low to the ground. They seem to have no fear of humans. Around south Louisiana this will probably get them shot sooner or later. I too am wondering if their appearance and the disappearance of hummers and squirrels is connected!!
8/9/2009
- For the last week, we have been seeing a pair of Mississippi kites in the dead tree limbs at the top of some large oak trees in our back yard in Joplin, Mo. We called a local Audubon birder, and he came over tonight and confirmed their identity.
8/9/2009
- We live in Tuscaloosa, Al and this is the first time we have seen these birds. Three days ago we noticed 4 in the dead top of an oak tree next door. They seem to prefer the dead tops of tall trees. Today we have 8, flying around our yard. They are wonderful to watch and I hope they will continue to visit with us. We had to grab the bird book to identify them. but they are so distentive, I am sure they are Ms. Kites. I would like to know if they are usually seen in this area. We are not avid bird watchers, usually just bird feeders.
8/10/2009
- We have had a pair nesting in one of the trees in our front yard here in Sapulpa, Ok for 2 years now. Lovely to watch. And the other birds we feed do not seem to be afraid of them or mind them at all.
8/16/2009
- Southeast Missouri I have been watching these four birds about two weeks working on a job site in Cape Girardeau. They take prey to the top of a dead tree.
We are about a quarter mile from the Mississippi River.
They stay around this job site all day. I have just started watching them so I do not know if two of them are offspring.
8/18/2009
- This was a very good article. I have observed a terrible phenomenon here in Arkansas. Just this past week (end of August), I've witnessed four abandoned immature kites. They don't appear to be able to feed themselves and call repeatedly. Two of them have been taken in by a rehabilitator but the other two may starve if I can't figure out how to help them. Anyone else seen this?
8/31/2009
- The article misses the fact that kites can be very aggressive. I have watched them in various parts of Kansas since 1982. Our song birds are very much afraid of them. The blue jays try to chase them away but tonight I suspect the fight cost a blue jay his life. It sounded like his death moans.
I have personally been attacked by a mississippi kite and I think it is more aggression than lack of fear. Here in southern Kansas we have many song birds, but they all disappear as soon as the kites begin screeming. I, for one, hate to see them come and I don't miss them when they leave.
9/8/2009
- I have a family of Kites in my subdivison in Irving, TX.
They fly around my house in the mornings to feed. They appeared last year for the first time and returned this year. Beautiful birds.
9/24/2009
- i think its a little confusing but very helpful
10/28/2009
- #66 I also live in Pearl not far from center city I have seen as many as 6 birds. I did watch them feed by following swarms of Starlings that scared the bugs out of the trees
1/24/2010
