MISSISSIPPI KITES

Identification
The Mississippi kite is a member of the family Accipitridae , a group of diurnal birds of prey. Adult Mississippi kites are falcon-shaped with light gray underparts , a dark gray dorsal   surface , and a black unbarred tail. Adult kites are approximately 14 inches (36 cm) long, have a wingspan of about 3 feet (0.9 m), and weigh 8 to 11 ounces (227 to 312 g). The male is lighter gray and smaller than the female. The call of an adult is a " phee -phew" whistle. Immature kites have heavy brown streaks below, and a notched black tail that is somewhat banded on the ventral surface. Young kites are covered with a fluffy white down that contrasts with their black eyes and bill.

Range
Mississippi kites nest in Arizona , New Mexico , Oklahoma , Texas , southeastern Colorado , southern Kansas , and the eastern states from southern Missouri to South Carolina . The southern Great Plains is considered a stronghold for the species. Kites migrate in the fall to their wintering grounds in central South America .

Mississippi kites nest primarily along riparian areas and in mesquite ( Prosopis spp .) thickets and tree plantings such as shelterbelts, windbreaks, farm woodlots, urban parks, and urban residential woodlots. Kites frequently use large windbreaks that are surrounded by native vegetation and have few nearby roads and homes. Shelterbelts planted in native grassland habitats likely have resulted in the westward expansion of the kite's range. Kites usually perch in the open on bare branches or on television antennas.

Habitat
Mississippi kites are primarily insectivorous. Their preference for insects that are harmful to crops, such as cicadas and grasshoppers, makes them economically beneficial. Most insects are captured by kites in flight. Kites supplement their diets with lizards, frogs, small turtles, rodents, small rabbits, and occasionally, small birds.

Food Habits
Mississippi kites are primarily insectivorous. Their preference for insects that are harmful to crops, such as cicadas and grasshoppers, makes them economically beneficial. Most insects are captured by kites in flight. Kites supplement their diets with lizards, frogs, small turtles, rodents, small rabbits, and occasionally, small birds.

General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior
Most Mississippi kites probably winter in Argentina and Brazil . They often migrate in groups of 20 to 30, and usually arrive at their nesting sites in mid- to late April or early May. Their southward migration generally begins in early September, a few weeks after the young have fledged. During nesting season, Mississippi kites may dive at people who come near their nests.

Mississippi kites generally begin nesting soon after their arrival in spring. They form pair bonds before arriving at nest sites and display little territorial behavior. Kites either repair old nests or construct new ones. Nests usually are concentrated in colonies. Many nests occur in elm ( Ulmus spp .), cottonwood ( Populus deltoides ), willow ( Salix spp .), hackberry ( Celtis spp .), oak ( Quercus spp .), and mesquite ( Prosopis fuliflora ) trees. Most nests, except for those constructed in elm and cottonwood trees, are usually less than 20 feet (6 m) above the ground. Nests vary in size, ranging from 10 to 18 inches (25 to 46 cm) long and 10 to 14 inches (25 to 36 cm) wide. They usually are composed of small twigs and lined with leaves.

In late May or early June, kites lay 2 white to pale bluish white eggs about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) long and almost oval in shape. Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young. They usually lay only 1 clutch per year, which hatches after an incubation period of about 30 to 32 days. The young are able to fly and leave the nest 30 to 34 days after hatching.

About half the nesting kites successfully raise young. Major mortality factors include strong winds, usually associated with summer thunderstorms, that blow out nestlings and destroy nests, and egg and nestling predators, including great horned owls ( Bubo virginianus ) and raccoons ( Procyon lotor ). Mississippi kites produce more young in urban (1.2 fledglings per nesting attempt) than in rural (0.6 fledglings per attempt) areas; the greater success has been related to lower predation. Kites usually live about 8 years.

Damage and Damage Identification
Some Mississippi kites create problems by diving at and frightening people who venture near their nests. The diving behavior is initiated to protect the nest and young, but occurs at less than 20% of the nests. Diving increases as incubation progresses and is most prevalent after hatching. Often both parents dive and emit shrill cries when the nest is threatened. These alarm calls often attract other kites, which also harass the intruder. Although kites may swoop within inches of an individual, only 3% of 903 dives recorded at one golf course resulted in the birds actually hitting humans. These attacks, however, can be serious if elderly individuals or children riding bicycles are frightened and fall. After the young leave their nests, the diving behavior stops.

Economics of Damage and Control
Few tangible costs can be associated with the harassment of humans by the diving behavior of Mississippi kites. Preventing the diving behavior is generally a matter of avoiding the nesting area or frightening the birds when they are diving.

Legal Status
Mississippi kites are fully protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) and state regulations. It is illegal to take, possess, transport, sell, or purchase kites or their parts without a permit. These regulations also protect the kite's eggs and nests, even nests that have been abandoned after the breeding season. A special permit may be issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service that authorizes the permit holder to take, transport, and temporarily possess juvenile kites for relocation to alternate nest sites and to remove the nest.

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion
Generally not practical.

Habitat Modification
Generally not practical.

Repellents
None are registered or known to be effective.

Toxicants
None are registered.

Trapping
Allowed only under a permit.

Shooting
Allowed only under a permit.

Frightening
Wave arms or other objects to deter kites from diving close to people.

Nest Removal
Generally difficult, requires a permit. Life-sized kite models may prevent nesting by kites.

Nest Avoidance
Avoid nesting sites between incubation and fledging of young. They have orange-red legs and feet, a very pale pearly-gray head, red eyes, a dark gray bill, and black wings tipped with a broad white patch on each rear edge that is visible in flight.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The above information was adapted from PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE with permission of the editors, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Robert M. Timm, and Gary E. Larson (Cooperative Extension Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control, Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee).

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Wildlife Management Services uses a variety of integrated and ecologically responsible pest management techniques - depending on the circumstances of the problem, the extent of the damage, and public health threats. Call (800) CRITTER for the Wildlife Management Services office nearest you. You can also find an office in your area by using our Office Finder.