Mississippi Kites

Mississippi Kites are migratory raptors - a member of the hawk family, along with eagles. In the
spring around May, they return to the Texas panhandle from South America (where they spend the
winter). The panhandle is in their breeding range. These are among my favorite birds, partly
because kites will casually eat while in flight. I don't know of any other raptor here that does. They soar
overhead searching for prey, and often attack much like peregrine falcons. With wings folded from
up above, they dive sharply to harvest their meal. They dine mostly on large insects but will eat
small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Their call is a very distinct "PIT-teeeewwwwww!"

---

previous page

pages 1 2 3 ALL

next page

Nest Building - IMG_3809.JPG	Kite Pose - IMG_3324.JPG	Kite Party - IMG_3202.JPG	Kites - IMG_3226.JPG
Leaving - IMG_3204.JPG	Kite - IMG_3272.JPG	Elm Kite - IMG_3292.JPG	Kite - IMG_3297.JPG
Kite in Flight - IMG_3178.JPG	Kite - IMG_3175.JPG	Kite Launch - IMG_2214.JPG	Hunting - IMG_0738.JPG
Split S - IMG_0761.JPG	Kite - IMG_1474.JPG	Mississippi Kite - IMG_7909.JPG	Mississippi Kite - IMG_8957.JPG
First Kite of 2014 - IMG_6002.JPG	First Kite of 2014 - IMG_5997.JPG	Kite - IMG_7683.JPG	<< Watching A Chick Grow >>
Mother and Child - IMG_6142.JPG	Standoff - IMG_5209.JPG	Annoying - IMG_5191.JPG	Juvenile - IMG_2525.JPG
Twig - IMG_2531.JPG	Twig Annoyance - IMG_2541.JPG	Breakfast - IMG_2323.JPG	Thank You Momma - IMG_2330.JPG
Kite - IMG_1642.JPG	Soaring Kite - IMG_9596.JPG	Formation Flying - IMG_9591.JPG	Mockingbird Attack - IMG_9572.JPG
Mississippi Kite - IMG_9329.JPG	Kite Launch - IMG_9330.JPG	Faked Kite and Lighthouse - IMG_8146.JPG	Dinner - IMG_4632.JPG
Soaring - IMG_4612.JPG	Watching - IMG_4578.JPG	Watchful Momma - IMG_4543.JPG	Meal Preparation - IMG_4506.JPG
Immature Kite - IMG_4535.JPG	Stretching Wings - IMG_4515.JPG	Kite - IMG_4011.JPG	Stuck Foot 1 - IMG_3374.JPG
Stuck Foot 2 - IMG_3375.JPG	Breakfast Guest - IMG_3298.JPG	Mississippi Kite Posing - IMG_1870.JPG	Kite Challenge - IMG_1805.JPG

previous page

pages 1 2 3 ALL

next page