Quick Facts About Mississippi Kites in Alabama
Mississippi kites are small raptors with an elegant, almost ghostly look. They measure just over a foot long and weigh about half a pound.
Their white bodies, gray wings and tails, and striking red eyes outlined in black make them stand out. You can spot their unique shape and flight style as they glide and swoop overhead.
Bird watchers often catch sight of Mississippi kites in Alabama’s Black Belt, especially in late summer. Sometimes, groups of 20 or 30 circle overhead at once, creating quite a scene.
These birds really know how to fly. They turn sharply, dart after insects, and use their tail feathers like a rudder for quick moves.
Main Physical Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Over 12 inches long |
| Weight | Around 0.5 pounds |
| Coloration | White body, gray wings/tail, red eyes |
| Unique Trait | Hooked beak, long pointed wings |
Food and Feeding Behavior
Mississippi kites mostly eat flying insects. They seem to have a special liking for dragonflies, June bugs, and grasshoppers.
Sometimes they’ll hunt small birds or mammals, but bugs are their main food. These birds catch insects in their talons and often eat while flying.
Big swarms of kites show up where insects are everywhere. Farmers in Alabama often see them following tractors, swooping in to grab bugs startled by the machinery.
The birds don’t seem bothered by people at all. Some even wait for tractors to start up, and every now and then, a kite will zip straight through an open cab and out the other side – no harm done.
Nesting and Habitat
Most Mississippi kites nest in forests in southern Alabama, but lately, some have shown up in suburban neighborhoods. Their nests are pretty simple and sometimes sit close to wasp nests.
This odd pairing might help protect the kite chicks from climbing predators. Baby kites hatch brown and white, with striped tails.
By summer’s end, the young kites can fly. Adults and juveniles often gather in big groups before heading off to South America for the winter.
Habitat Preferences
- Open fields and forest edges
- Prairies and wide valleys
- Farms and rural areas
- Sometimes suburban spots
Behavior and Seasonal Movements
Mississippi kites act pretty social, especially before migration. They gather in flocks to fatten up before flying south.
Fall migration usually kicks off in mid to late August, with big groups leaving Alabama for Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
During summer, the kites put on a show at local birding events like the Black Belt Birding Festival. The spectacle of kites swooping for insects draws both locals and visitors, and honestly, it’s hard not to compare their aerial moves to stunts at an air show.
Additional Noteworthy Birds and Birding in Alabama
Alabama’s skies are full of surprises. Grackles, for instance, show up often – especially along highways like the busy I-65 corridor.
If you’re driving, you’ll probably spot them strutting around parking lots or perched on wires. Birdwatchers and scientists, including wildlife biologists, keep tabs on these birds and their movements.
Groups such as the National Wildlife Health Center study bird populations and try to tackle some of the bigger threats facing wildlife. Their work isn’t easy, but it matters.
WAFF News and other local outlets sometimes spotlight odd bird encounters or highlight seasonal migrations. These stories tip folks off about what to watch for overhead or out in the fields.
Interesting Points to Remember:
- Mississippi kites are among Alabama’s smallest raptors.
- They spend much of their time hunting insects, especially when farm equipment stirs things up.
- Sometimes, they’ll nest close to wasps for a little extra security.
- Before heading out on their long migration, these kites gather in flocks.
- Grackles and other birds help make Alabama’s wildlife scene more colorful, especially along roads and in rural spots.
Mississippi kites have an odd but fascinating relationship with their ecosystem. Birds, bugs, and people’s daily routines all seem to overlap in unexpected ways.
The kites’ presence across farms, forests, and open fields brings a little more energy to Alabama’s outdoors. If you want a deeper dive into other birds you might spot, check out the guide at Bird Watching HQ on common birds in Alabama.
The Alabama Ornithological Society also shares tips on where to go birding around the state. Worth a look, honestly.
