Did you know that one-year-old Mississippi kites help mating pairs defend their nests, incubate their eggs, and raise heir chicks?
Mississippi Kites
at
a Glance
Key Features:
Mississippi kites are gray birds with black tails, white heads, and white wingtips.
Least Concern - Population Increasing
Habitat:
Along rivers, groves, prairies, and towns
nesting habits:
Mississippi kites build nests in old trees out of twigs.
seasons mississippi kites are active in our area:
Spring, summer, fall
Diet:
Large insects, bats, frogs, rodents, small birds, snakes, and toads
hunting Behavior:
Mississippi kites hunt by swooping down to grab prey.
Commonly Confused With:
Northern Harriers, White-Tailed Kites, and Peregrine Falcons
Mississippi kites are often confused with northern harriers because both are gray birds with black wingtips. Mississippi kites have white heads. Northern harriers have white undersides.
Mississippi kites are often confused with white-tailed kites because both have gray wings and backs. Mississippi kites are gray birds. White-tailed kites are white birds.