Mississippi Kite

The Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) is a small, elegant bird of prey, with a slender build and an air of grace that is most evident in flight. These birds possess narrow, pointed wings and a buoyant flight style, often giving the impression that they are effortlessly floating on the air currents. Their plumage is predominantly gray, with darker shades adorning their tail feathers and outer wings, while a lighter gray graces their heads and inner wings. Both male and female Mississippi kites share a similar appearance, though males may exhibit a slightly paler hue on their head and neck. Juveniles can be distinguished by their banded tails and streaked bodies. The species is characterized by its red eyes and red to yellow legs, and it measures 12 to 15 inches from beak to tail with a wingspan averaging 3 feet. Weighing between 214 to 388 grams, their calls are high-pitched squeaks, reminiscent of a squeaky toy.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Mississippi kite, look for its distinctive narrow and pointed wings, as well as its graceful, floating flight. Adults are primarily gray with variations in shade across their plumage, and both sexes have red eyes. Juveniles can be recognized by their banded tails and streaked bodies.

Habitat

Mississippi kites are often found in open woodlands and grasslands, where they can be seen circling high in the sky. They are also known to inhabit urban areas, adapting to life in close proximity to human activity.

Distribution

During the breeding season, Mississippi kites are found in the central and southern United States, with the southern Great Plains being a stronghold for the species. Their breeding range has expanded in recent years, reaching as far north as New Hampshire and westwards due to the planting of shelterbelts in grassland habitats. Come winter, they migrate to the subtropical regions of South America, primarily Argentina and Brazil.

Behaviour

Mississippi kites are social creatures, often seen roosting together in late summer. They do not maintain territories, which allows them to gather in communal roosts without conflict.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Mississippi kite are high-pitched squeaks, akin to the sound of a squeaky toy being compressed and released.

Breeding

These monogamous birds form breeding pairs either before or shortly after arriving at their breeding sites. Courtship displays are a rarity, but mate guarding is observed. They typically lay two white eggs in twig nests located in a variety of deciduous trees, often near water. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and caring for the young. The species has adapted to nesting in a range of habitats, including urban areas, where they tend to have higher reproductive success due to fewer predators.

Diet and Feeding

Mississippi kites are insectivorous, capturing their prey mid-flight. Their diet mainly consists of cicadas, grasshoppers, and other insects, some of which are considered pests to crops, thus making the kites economically beneficial. Occasionally, they will consume small vertebrates. They are known to hunt from low perches, pursuing their prey and consuming it while still airborne.

Conservation status

The Mississippi kite is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Although it experienced a decline in the mid-20th century, the population is now increasing and its range is expanding. The species is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which safeguards the birds, their eggs, and their nests from disturbance.