Mississippi Kite
A species of Mississippi Kites Scientific name : Ictinia mississippiensis Genus : Mississippi Kites
Mississippi Kite, A species of Mississippi Kites
Botanical name: Ictinia mississippiensis
Genus: Mississippi Kites
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Description People often ask General Info
Photo By Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren , used under CC-BY-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The mississippi Kite is a migratory species, flying from the southern United States to Central and South America for the winter seasons. This bird of prey floats effortlessly in the sky and dives lower to catch insects. They may also dive-bomb humans who get too close to their nests in developed areas. It's not unusual for mississippi Kites to build their nests alongside wasp nests for added protection from predators.
Size
33-43 cm (13-17 in)
Life Expectancy
11 years
Nest Placement
Tree
Clutch Size
1 - 3 eggs
Number of Broods
29 - 32 days
Nestling Period
25 - 35 days
Feeding Habits
Mississippi Kite's diet primarily includes insects such as beetles and grasshoppers, and extends to frogs, lizards, and small vertebrates. Hunting both in flight and on foot, they perform aerial captures and sometimes forage in low vegetation or shallow water, occasionally scavenging roadkill.
Habitat
Mississippi Kite commonly inhabits wooded streams, groves, and shelterbelts within southern and central United States. In eastern regions, they favor mature, low-lying forests near open habitats like pastures and croplands. Alternatively, in the Southwest and central plains, mississippi Kite nests in windbreaks amidst shortgrass prairies, oak and mesquite savannahs, and along riverside vegetation such as cottonwoods. This species adapts to urban environments, nesting in parks and golf courses. During migration, mississippi Kite utilizes a range of habitats including forests, savannahs, and human-modified landscapes. Wintering habits in South America remain largely uncharted.
Nest Behavior
Both mississippi Kite male and female partake in nest building, which can take days to weeks. After building, the shallow cup-like nest becomes flatter as it collects debris over time. They exhibit a leisurely nest construction approach.
Nest Characteristics
Mississippi Kite builds nests varying from a few feet to over 115 feet high, preferring old-growth trees in the East and isolated trees in the Great Plains. Nests are 10-14 inches wide and 5-6 inches tall, made from loosely woven twigs and lined with leaves or Spanish moss. They may reuse or refurbish old nests, including squirrel nests.
Dite type
Insectivorous
People often ask
General Info
Behavior
Mississippi Kite exhibit a panoply of behaviors ranging from agile, communal flights to foraging along terrestrial and aquatic milieus. These avifaunal exemplars display notable social propensities, preferring the companionship of conspecifics for activities such as roosting and predation. Their residential proclivities favor proximity, with nesting sites established in neighborhood-like assemblages—this camaraderie is particularly salient across the Great Plains. Mississippi Kite maintain a pacific demeanor amongst each other, yet they exhibit a staunch defense of their reproductive territories, vigorously confronting perceived threats, including humans. Such territorial defense is bilateral, with both sexes ardently safeguarding their progeny. The species' monogamous bonds persist through the breeding interval, punctuated by aerial displays of courtship and, intriguingly, instances of cooperative breeding where juvenile consorts may aid in nestling care.
Species Status
While the Mississippi kite is not an endangered species, it is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which protects the birds, their eggs, and their nests (occupied or empty) from being moved or tampered with without the proper permits. This can make the bird somewhat of a nuisance when it chooses to roost in populated urban spots such as golf courses or schools. The birds protect their nests by diving at perceived threats, including humans. Staying at least 50 yards from nests is the best way to avoid conflict with the birds. If unavoidable, wearing a hat or waving hands in the air should prevent contact from being made but will not prevent the diving behavior. 
Photo By Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren , used under CC-BY-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Scientific Classification
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