Common name: MISSISSIPI KITE
Scientific name: Ictinia mississippiensis
Identifying characteristics:
This medium sized raptor of approximately 12 inches is a predominately light grey to white color with dark, almost black, tail and wings feathers. It's most striking feature is piercing red eyes that appear as it matures. The Juvenile plumage is a uniform dark brown with splashes of white accenting the chest. The eyes are brownish.
Range:
The Mississippi kite ranges arcoss the gulf coast states, and in recent years with the help of the urban sprawl, is now extending west into New Mexico and Arizona, and North into Kansas and Colorado .
Habitat:
This proto-raptor has a great fondness for small open fields, and the spread of parks and golf corses have actually added habitat where once there was none.
Nesting:
The Kites build nests of twigs much like that of a songbird. It prefers to build along the edge of fields often using wind breaks and the like.
Feeding habits:
This little raptor is a highly evolved insectivore, but has often been know to take small rodents and other small birds as well to supplement its diet.
Conservation status:
The Mississippi Kite is doing extremely well, due to its adaptation to urban settings. It is, though, subject to the dangers of that setting such as poisonings of its prey base.
