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Mississippi Kite

Buoyant in Flight

By Alexandre Gavashelshvili
Published: 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.

Gray and black bird flying
Gray and black bird eating 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 rangerange map 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.

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Comments (159):

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. I enjoyed the comments. I found the comments were similar to my observations.

    8/6/2007

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. I love these birds! They're some of my fav birds! :D

    12/19/2007

  10. I love it it was very he;pful!!!

    3/25/2008

  11. pie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    4/29/2008

  12. it was cool!

    4/29/2008

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. we have 4 or so in our neighborhood in columbia south carolina. we love watching them and hope they stay.

    5/26/2008

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. 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

  25. 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

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. 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

  29. 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

  30. 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

  31. 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

  32. 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

  33. 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

  34. 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

  35. 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

  36. 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

  37. 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

  38. 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

  39. 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

  40. 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

  41. 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

  42. 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

  43. 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

  44. 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

  45. 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

  46. 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

  47. 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

  48. Thanks for the helpful information; I had to find information on the Mississippi Kite for English.

    9/23/2008

  49. 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

  50. 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

  51. 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

  52. 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

  53. I live on a Mississippi farm, and those birds have flown in my house about 18 times now.

    2/22/2009

  54. 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

  55. 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

  56. 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

  57. 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

  58. 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

  59. 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

  60. 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

  61. 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

  62. 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

  63. 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

  64. 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

  65. 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

  66. 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

  67. i think that this article is very nice. it gives you a lot of info

    6/12/2009

  68. To number 66, Kites do not eat cats. They prefer insects, bats and an occasional insect.

    6/18/2009

  69. 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

  70. 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

  71. 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

  72. 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

  73. i have some im my oak tree how do u get them from diving after u but they are beautiful birds

    7/8/2009

  74. 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

  75. 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

  76. 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

  77. 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

  78. 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

  79. 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

  80. 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

  81. 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

  82. 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

  83. 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

  84. 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

  85. 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

  86. 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

  87. 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

  88. 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

  89. 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

  90. 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

  91. 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

  92. 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

  93. 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

  94. i think its a little confusing but very helpful

    10/28/2009

  95. #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

  96. sweet :D

    2/23/2010

  97. There back in Pearl

    5/16/2010

  98. We live in McComb, Mississippi, near a small lake, and just discovered a pair of nesting kites in a large oak tree. We'd never seen kites before and were amazed at their beauty and size.

    5/24/2010

  99. We have a Mississippi Kite nesting pair in Sterling, northeast corner of Colorado. Nest is located in Chears Park at the south end of the tennis courts. First spotting was June 22nd. Call 970-580-5850 for directions. Nice birds.

    5/30/2010

  100. We have a nesting pair in Sterling, northeast Colorado. They were fist sighted May 21, 2010. Nesting in the tree just south of the tennis courts in Chear's Park. 970-580-5853 for more info. D. McClain

    5/31/2010

  101. We also have these beautiful birds in the trees across the street....also Sterling Colorado....just down the street...Holden Lane. This is the 3rd year to see them. At one time last year there were about 8 in the trees...the young have provided us with much joy just observing them and watching them soar in the sky. Sterling is also home to many vultures that love to hang out around the large tower near down town!

    6/9/2010

  102. Very helpful article in identifying this bird. We were able to positively i.d. one of these adult kites and get a few pictures. We live on the west side of the Franklin Mountains about 1 mile in altitude, in El Paso, TX. We also have several hawks, kestrels and falcons. June 20, 2010

    6/20/2010

  103. I've lived outside of Havana Florida for the past 3 years and every year there is a nesting pair in my yard. Last year I built a big pond in my yard and the kites now spend a lot of time swooping over the pond and even walking around along the edge of the pond. I love my kites!

    6/22/2010

  104. this late afternoon about 8 of what i believe are these mississippi kites were directly overhead catching thermals and flying very low //they were also folding their wings in and diving -mostly two at a time diving very low then swooping upwards on mississippi river bluffs about 60 miles south of st louis

    6/28/2010

  105. i live in cape girardeau, missouri and we have 3-4 mississippi kites in our neighborhood. they are beautiful birds to watch. every evening, one of the mississippi kites sits in a tree with a few dead branches from 6-8. we love watching it catch bugs and fly. beautiful beautiful birds.

    6/28/2010

  106. I Live in Lafayette La. and it appears that we have a mating pair in our area. They are beautiful in flight.

    7/5/2010

  107. Excellent article. The top photo is Pulitzer quality!! I have a nesting pair of Kites in an oak tree in my yard just down river of the Huey P. Long bridge in Westwego, LA. These are some of the smoothest birds I have ever seen take flight and the top photo really captures their grace!!

    7/9/2010

  108. I live in a suburban New Orleans neighborhood, and I had never seen one of these before the 1990's. Now they are here constantly in the summer. There are usually one or two perched on a dead oak tree that provives a good vantage point, and I sometimes four in flight at the same time

    7/16/2010

  109. I live in a suburb of Washington, D.C. (Virginia side) and the kites are back! First sighting this summer for me. I am amazed at their choice of residence since they are found in the mature trees next to a busy comuter road. Very beautiful.

    7/26/2010

  110. LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    7/26/2010

  111. I think I have seen a mississippi kite in a dead tree in my neighborhood in Houston, Texas. Today I saw two of them in that same tree. I hope to get some pictures of the pair. Maybe it is a mom and fledgling, I'm not sure. Thank you for this very informative website.

    7/28/2010

  112. I am in Prairieville, La. I have a young Miss Kite, that landed in our yard. It appears to have a injury because it will not fly. It is not at all afriad of me. By defense it raises it wings, where I see a small blood spot. I tried Wildlife and Fish and they refer me to rehabber that wants a $200 fee to rhab the bird. I cannot afford that. I have the bird in a enclosure in shade and feeding it dragonflys and water. It east the flys but have not seen it drink. I do not know what else to do. if you know someone that is a legit rehabber and no fee, email me at LaSugarfish@aol.com todays date is 7/28/2010 2:00pm.

    7/28/2010

  113. I saw a bird I had never seen before today (7-28-2010) in Denver, on 12th and Holly. I came home and looked it up and even walked back with the bird book. I believe it was a kite. I did not see it fly. It was being dive-bombed by bluejays and sparrows, but did not move off of its perch in a 1/2 dead tree for over an hour.

    7/28/2010

  114. Love the article and the comments. We have had Mississippi kites nesting on our property in Western Tulsa county for the last 7 or 8 years. It's very hot here now and the kites will wade into the pond and wallow around in the water, then fly around to cool off. Our kites love to pose for pictures.

    7/30/2010

  115. I found a juvenile sitting on on the ground in my yard this morning. It appeared to be injured and couldn't fly when approached. It was an absolutely beautiful bird. I put it in a cat carrier and took it in to my vet in Canyon, TX (we live on the Palo Duro Creek here) and the vet got me in touch with a local person in Amarillo, who works with the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lubbock, TX. She said she thinks the kite is OK, just dehydrated and malnourished. She said this is the 5th call she has gotten this week on a kite down. She will take him to Lubbock shortly after trying to get him rehydrated and fed some. Yea, happy ending! My yard crew was just about to mow when they found the cute fellow on the ground. August 5, 2010

    8/5/2010

  116. We have a family of three in the cottonwood tree in our backyard (in Tulsa, OK). They are so much fun to watch hunt in the mornings!

    8/6/2010

  117. This is the first time I have seen Mississippi Kites here in north Florida I couldn't figure out what kind of bird it was. I took pictures of them and researched online and I finally found what I was looking for

    8/12/2010

  118. We live in central florida and this is the first year we have seen these birds soring in the sky. I am fascinated by them. We live on a canal where there are a lot of empty lots. We have three of them, which I felt was odd since I read they usually in pairs. I hope they stay.

    8/14/2010

  119. I live in southeast mo. 130 miles south of St. louis, we have been watchong the Kites for 5 years they return to the same nest each year. we have not seen them for a couple of days now, have they started south already. seems like last year it was October before they went south. 8/21/2010

    8/22/2010

  120. We live on Waterloo Lake in Denison, Texas and we have had 3 of them that appears around 6:30 this summer---starting in June. There is one that appears almost everyday and sits on top of "his" tree. Thanks to the internet, after several nights ---we have finally identified the Mississippi Kite. 8/28/2010

    8/28/2010

  121. We live in the middle of St. Louis City in a very urban area (many houses close together, small yards, but an old neighborhood with lots of mature trees). This is the second year in a row kites have hung out in our next door neighbor's tree. Last year I only remember one, but earlier this summer we noticed that there were two, and I think they've mated, because I believe we now have a third, which is smaller and has a little bit of a higher pitched call. The youngster flies well but is constantly calling. We really enjoy watching them and haven't had a problem so far with aggression. They're probably 30-35 feet up in the tree and have never bothered the neighbors' three kids, who are outside in their yard all the time. I hope they keep coming back. (Way off topic, but there are also a bunch of bald eagles nesting right across the Mississippi River in Alton, Illinois, just a few miles from our house, in the winters.)

    8/31/2010

  122. Was glad to read more about the Mississippi kite hawk. A friend told me the name of this bird after I described being dive bombed 3 different times one morning while out in the yard about a month ago. Learned that another friend was injured by a kite hawk while playing with her dog in the park. We live in the West Texas town of Plainview.

    9/7/2010

  123. not so good it is very long

    4/27/2011

  124. We live in Pearl, Ms. and for over 20 years have had the pleasure of watching these graceful birds come back here every spring and raise their young. I have seen it before, but, today I saw a pair mate. The female was calling and calling and the male was flying over and in a fast swoop he came down and didn't stay but a few seconds. She is just sitting on the same limb looking around. We had the opportunity about 15 years ago to find a young one that had been blown down from his nest, which was in the top of a 90 ft. tree, after a summer storm. Audubon Society told us to take it to the zoo and after they discovered it to be a Ms. Kite they sent it off to La. where they could properly care for it. The parents called for over 2 weeks. We love for them to be here. We look forward to the time of year when they return after the winter.

    5/1/2011

  125. Just arrived near my Duck Club in Yorktown, Arkansas. I saw 10 - 12 just flying around a field right next to my place just enjoying the updraft off of Bayou Batholomew. I have a lot of old oak, cypress and Sweet Gum along the bayou and the nest around here. Just love listening to them call!

    5/6/2011

  126. Found 2 for first time in my yard in Lake City Florida. Live 15 miles south of town in country. They are in top of dead tree.

    5/6/2011

  127. My husband bought our house in Woodward, OK (Northwest OK) in 2000. There have been a pair (the same pair?) in a tree in our backyard every year that we've been here. This year we had a bad windstorm that blew their nest down. We were afraid they wouldn't return, but yesterday I saw them mating up there! Hopefully, they'll rebuild their nest and we'll get to watch their babies grow up again.

    6/4/2011

  128. Is it possible this bird can be found in NC? It looks like what I saw today in my front yard, swoop down, attack a grackle and carry it off.

    6/7/2011

  129. 6/12/11 - Grapevine TX - Saw two Mississippi Kites in my oak trees this morning. They appeared to have a nest.

    6/12/2011

  130. I live in Paducah, KY in a neighborhood setting. We have had a nesting pair of kites along with a third "helper" in a large oak tree this spring. I know where the nest was but never got a chance to see the chicks. From what I can read, this must be near the northern edge of their range. They are a beautiful bird to watch but a real challenge to photograph.

    6/12/2011

  131. I have two pairs around my house this year. They swoop down on the mail man-but they are so beautiful-they never bother my family-guess they have a thing for mailmen!! I live in a small town of about 2,000 in Fairview, OK and have huge old trees in my neighborhood-love to watch them, thanks for the interesting info on them-God Bless nature.

    6/17/2011

  132. First time that I have seen a kite. A pair is nesting in the neighbors elm tree. We live in North Platte, NE at the confluence of the No. Platte and So. Platte rivers.

    6/26/2011

  133. I saw 4 to 6 kite's flying above my house and yard this morning. Awesome to watch! There is heavy equipment doing maintenance on the streets around my house. So, they may be hunting the grasshoppers stirred up by the street work. Azle, Texas

    6/28/2011

  134. We live in Edmond, OK. We have a pair nesting in our front yard. They are wonderful to watch, however, they are very protective of their young. They have swooped down several times as we go to and fro from our drive-way. It is going to be a long month or more! 6/28/2011

    6/28/2011

  135. I love this article. I live in Keller, TX and we have a pair that are nesting in our oak trees. Also another nest in the back half of the subdivision. They are beautiful and I love the whistling noise they make calling to each other. Can't wait for the eggs to hatch and hopefully see the babies start their flight.

    7/3/2011

  136. I have a breeding pair for 3 years now in the summer in Rhode Island. Fun to watch as they scoop up large dragonflies. Very beautiful bird. Last year they fledged 3 young.

    7/4/2011

  137. We are repeatedly observing Kites now in Flower Mound,TX..They perch in a tall dead tree near a creek and as stated, appear unconcerned with people.Beautiful birds.

    7/4/2011

  138. 7/8/2011 We saw our first Mississippi Kite perched in a dead pine tree bordering Denton and Corinth, TX off of Exit 431 and I 35 E at Post Oak and Shady Shores. My husband and I love to bird watch and are landlords each year for bluebirds (we've had 3 broods this year). We had no idea what this bird was, we had to turn around and take another look. I hope we get to see more of this bird and would love to see it in flight.

    7/9/2011

  139. This was a really interesting article and I loved reading all the various comments from other people from around the US. I live in New Iberia, LA and have been watching and photographing a pair of adult Mississippi Kite birds and their young for about 2 weeks now. I know there are more of these birds in our neighborhood, just not sure how many. I've seen about 6 at one time. I've photographed and watch them for a long period of time for a couple of days, and they too, have kept an eye on me. It's really exciting to see them in our neighborhood. When they leave this area, I do hope they will come back next year and many years after that. I also hope that I get to see more of them all at one time soaring through the air...such an awesome sight.

    7/12/2011

  140. We found a baby Mississippi Kite in some downed branches on our lawn. The mom and dad have been brining some food, and we have been giving it water through a dropper. We are concerned the baby may not be getting enough to eat and we need some help with what to feed if anything. We have it in an open pen and the mom/dad have been visiting it over the past 24 hours. It is about 6-8 inches tall with a 12-15 inch wing span. Not sure if it's hurt and can't fly, or if it's not old enough to fly yet. Any help is appreciated!

    7/15/2011

  141. 7/18/11 We have a set of 3 that have a nest with 2 babies in Euless, TX. Their nest is high in the oak trees and it is quite a sight to see them hunting.

    7/18/2011

  142. I love reading this! We found a baby bird in my front yard and had no clue what kind of bird he was. But he was still fuzzy looking so we knew he was young. We took him to the Timber Creek Vet where they have a rehab. They told me there that he was a Mississippi Kite. I live in Canyon, TX and I can't say I've ever seen one of these before. Made for a fun day! He's in good hands now. :)

    7/22/2011

  143. I have seen 3 birds in Breaux Bridge, La, this is the first time I have seen these Kites. I hope they will stay around for awhile as we have alot of dragon flyes and all kinds of good stuff for them to eat.

    7/27/2011

  144. From our front porch in a neighborhood 1 mile south of LSU in Baton Rouge we observed a beautiful Miss. Kite sitting in our neighbor's tree. We thought it was a baby owl at first because it was so quiet and still, just sitting in high branches watching our house (and our little Boston Terrier). With binoculars and computer search we identified him. On this same day we had found a patch of baby bunnies under mulch in our flower bed. We watched him watching us for nearly two hours, until darkness obscured the view.

    7/31/2011

  145. I have four of these birds in a large tree in my back yard. I enjoy seening them each year. Who would thought here in Berwick, LA. What great hunters. We are so blessed.

    7/31/2011

  146. I live in University City MO on the edge of a golf course. There is at least one mated pair that live close which I have been watching for the last few years. I was unable to identify what they were until the conversation came up at a Christmas party last year. This morning I watched the pair frolic in flight and have seen them chase dragonflies which are coming out in force. Wish I had a better camera!

    8/2/2011

  147. We live in Edmond OK, and had a nesting pair of Miss. Kites 2 years ago in our back yard. They raised one chick. One thing I observed, I have never seen written about. They slowly destroyed their nest when the chick began growing, until it was completely gone and the chick was fully grown. While the parents continued to feed the chick they would land further and further away from the nest area until, finally one day the chick flew to the adjacent tree to get food from one of the parents. When we first moved to this suburb( 7 years ago) I noticed what I later found out were Miss. Kites in a tree about 1 block away. We continue to have a nesting pair ever year. Buy the way, while nesting in our yard they never once dived at any of us to scare us away. Beautiful birds to watch. 8-5-2011

    8/5/2011

  148. I found a young mississippi kite on the side of my driveway this morning. It is feathered and almost ready to fly. It doesn't seem to be hurt. It's so hot I've been providing a plate of water for it to rest in and drink. It's been here all day and is sitting in the shade right now. What an awesome bird. I hear another one in a tree somewhere else on the block but I can't seem to find it. I got a cute picture of it in the plate of water!

    8/6/2011

  149. I live in Warner Robins Ga. and have had a pair flying around my home for the last two years. Just found out that they were, Miss. Kites from a Professor at Valdosta state university. I had never seen these birds until two years ago. I sometimes see 3 to 4, most of the time 2. Love to watch them fly around my home. I have seen them capture insects in the air and once saw one with a baby mocking bird in it talons. The baby mocking bird was almost to much weight for him to fly with but he landed in a very tall pine tree then into the wooded area in my neighborhood. I assume he had to land to eat the bird. They eat insects while they are flying, saw them eat 17 year cicadas earlier this summer they were lots of them and the Kites had a feast on them. I hope they keep coming back every year. They are so graceful and beautiful to watch in flight

    8/7/2011

  150. N Oklahoma, we have had these birds here for two yrs now (seasons) we were afraid at first because we thought they were after our small ducks out in the front yard pond. Well, they didn't want the ducks... they were sitting up in the tree watching their own babies, one of which had fell to the ground & before it was run over by a car my husband got it & put in our fenced yard. The mama comes to feed it 1-2 times ea day but we've been feeding it raw hamburger & grasshoppers. It talks & sits on my husbands lap to feed & water it. I know for sure that if he hadn't have got it, the poor baby would've been killed. What a sweet & wonder thing for us to see I just hope it will learn to fly soon as it's stuck on ground level, this is the 3rd day.

    8/8/2011

  151. I live in an apartment complex in Newton,Kansas. I have been watching these beautiful birds for about 10 years now here around town. Today August 8 2011 my 9 year old grandson called me over where he and his friend where standing along with 2 other very young boy. He told me to look and there on the ground by the tree was a young Mississippi Kite. My grandson said the 2 younger boys had been throwing sticks at it. I had my grandson stand guard over the bird while I made some phone calls to get some help for the young bird. Animal Control came out and wasn't going to do anything about it , they said it had been pushed out of the nest to learn to fly and it would be flying by tomorrow. I told them if they left it there the children would kill it by then. I was so happy when they dicided I was right and took the bird with them. I would have stayed out there all night if I had to I was not about to allow the children to hurt the bird. I don't understand why parents don't teach their children to respect the beauty of the things around them. But may I just say Thank You to my grandson. He is the birds true Hero

    8/8/2011

  152. Nesting pair in northeast Jackson, MS. I've been aware of them for three years now, since an EF1-2 tornado cleared out the canopy a good bit in my neighborhood in April 2008. They do nest and rest in the dominant (tallest) trees in the area. There are actually quite a few of the tallest trees that survived the tornado. I've been watching and photographing them for two years now, and they are currently feeding their fledgling almost exclusively on the abundant cicadas, though I have a video of the fledgling eating a lizard or geck also. Beautiful birds, graceful in flight and daredevils, too! I have a video of one doing a double barrel roll! And when they dive, they can pull in their wings to leave just a feather or two extended to control the descent. They drop like a rock and then swoop up out of a dive at high speed. What fun it must be! I also see them doing complex flight maneuvers to catch dodging dragonflies. These birds are the best flyers I've ever had the pleasure of watching... To all those who commented above about rehabbing or helping injured ones - a big THANK YOU!

    8/9/2011

  153. I live in Tallahassee, Florida and what started out as 3 Mississippi kites now totals 13 as of yesterday. They are having a field day on what I call mosquito hawks (larger than dragonflys). They are the most awesome birds I have seen. Yesterday I saw the 13 all flying together in circles and I thought that meant they would not be here this morning but the particular one that sits in the top of my pine tree showed up again and made my day. Hope to see them when I get home from work.

    8/17/2011

  154. THANK YOU! Now I finally know what the family accross the street is! The 2babies are almost ready to fly. Mississippi kites in Security, CO. Who knew!

    8/20/2011

  155. They seem to be becoming more abundant every summer here in Southeast Missouri. There is a family of three that likes to land on a tall dead tree behind my house. Funny to see the parents feeding the noisy baby, which is the same size they are by this time of late summer. Inspirational to watch them dive and soar during the day.

    8/21/2011

  156. We've got a family of kites in the green belt behind our house. They are defently a treat to watch, with their lazy circles in the sky. Every now and then I'll catch one diving! amazing! Here in Oklahoma, there is going to be a massive release of young rescued mississippi kites. Many had dropped out of the nest or jumped from the heat. Anyhow, it should be glorious! I may try to be their. Interestly, they feed on dragonflies & other insects, much like our state bird the Scissortail Flycatcher :)

    8/30/2011

  157. We have them in scottsbluff ne.i love them.hope they come back again 9-3 2011

    9/4/2011

  158. If you have a baby and can not find grasshoppers or crickets to feed it you can cut up pinkies (baby mice) that most pet stores have frozen and feed it small pieces. A word to the wise, they are easier and less messy to cut up as frozen mice. I use tweezers to feed with, just be carefull not to stick or cut the baby bird with them.

    9/10/2011

  159. Observed as many as 6 hunting in the skies over Bartlett, TN. Identified them using binoculars and by their call. First year we have seen them in these numbers. They are a delight. A resident Mockingbird has picked up the call and occasionally sends smaller birds into hiding in the garden. 9/21/2011.

    9/21/2011

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