Yes, Mississippi kites are found in Texas. The Mississippi kite is a medium-sized raptor that breeds in the southern United States and winters in South America. During the summer breeding season, Mississippi kites can be found scattered across the southern Great Plains, southeastern states, and Texas.
Quick Facts about Mississippi Kites
Here are some quick facts about Mississippi kites in Texas and beyond:
- Scientific Name: Ictinia mississippiensis
- Length: 14-15 inches
- Wingspan: 3 feet
- Identifying Marks: Gray body, black wingtips, and red eyes
- Diet: Insects, small vertebrates, frogs
- Migration: Winters in South America, summers in the southern U.S.
- Habitat: Open woodlands near rivers and wetlands
- Conservation: Population stable overall but threatened by habitat loss
Range and Distribution in Texas
In Texas, Mississippi kites can be found throughout the eastern half of the state during summer. Their range extends west to the Edwards Plateau and the northeastern Panhandle. The highest densities occur in east Texas, including along the Red, Sabine, Trinity, and Sulphur Rivers and their tributaries.
Some key areas to spot Mississippi kites in Texas include:
- Caddo Lake area
- Piney Woods along the Sabine River
- Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
- Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Along major rivers like the Brazos, Colorado, and Guadalupe
In fall, Mississippi kites migrate back to South America, leaving Texas by late September or October. They winter primarily in central Brazil before returning in spring.
Breeding and Nesting
Mississippi kites arrive back in Texas in April and May to establish breeding territories and find mates. The breeding season lasts from May through August.
Nests are constructed high up in the tree canopy, usually 20-60 feet above ground. Most nests are built in oak, elm, cottonwood, and willow trees near water sources like rivers or lakes. Nests are loosely constructed stick platforms lined with moss, leaves, or grass.
Females lay 2-4 eggs which are incubated for about 28 days before hatching. Both parents help feed and care for the young. After 50-55 days, the juvenile kites will leave the nest and gradually gain independence.
Diet and Hunting
Mississippi kites are opportunistic predators and eat a wide variety of prey. Large insects like cicadas, grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles make up much of their diet during the breeding season. They also prey on smaller animals like frogs, lizards, snakes, small rodents, and sometimes small birds.
Their specialized feeding habits include prey-handling techniques like aerial insect foraging and gentle raiding of songbird nests. Mississippi kites fly over open habitats snatching insects out of the air and sometimes eating them on the wing. They have long tails and angled wings adapted for graceful, acrobatic flight.
Hunting perches are used to scan for prey from an elevated position. When prey is spotted, Mississippi kites will swiftly fly out to grab the animal in their talons and return to the perch to eat it. They tend to be most active hunting during the early morning and evening.
Threats and Conservation
Mississippi kite populations appear to be stable overall, but they face threats from habitat loss and degradation. Deforestation of bottomland hardwood forests removes crucial nesting sites. Many key wetland areas along major rivers have been drained or modified. Pesticides can reduce their insect food supply. Collisions with vehicles and glass windows also cause some mortality.
However, the adaptable Mississippi kite has proven resilient. Conservation measures like preserving riparian forests and wetlands, controlling pesticide use, and managing farmland to create open foraging habitats should help maintain viable populations.
Here is a table summarizing key information about the status, habitat, diet, and conservation needs of the Mississippi kite:
Conservation Status | Breeding Habitat | Diet | Conservation Needs |
---|---|---|---|
Least Concern | Open woodlands near rivers & wetlands | Insects, small vertebrates & birds | Protect nesting & foraging habitats |
Interesting Facts
Here are a few more interesting facts about Mississippi kites in Texas and beyond:
- Also known colloquially as the prairie falcon or Mississippi hawk
- One of the most aerial of North American raptors, catching prey on the wing
- Migrates long distances to Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay for winter
- Monogamous pairs may remain together for multiple breeding seasons
- Male performs acrobatic courtship display, diving and soaring to attract female
- Gregarious, often roosting and migrating in flocks of hundreds or thousands
- Late nesters compared to many raptors, possibly linked to diet of insect emergence
- Population declined in early 1900s due to hunting but made strong comeback
Where to See Mississippi Kites in Texas
Some of the best places to spot Mississippi kites in Texas include:
- Caddo Lake State Park – diverse hardwood forest habitat along the lake shore
- Brazos Bend State Park – mature woodlands with nesting kites near Houston
- Richland Creek WMA – thousands of acres managed for wildlife in Freestone County
- Trinity River Audubon Center – riparian forests with trails and kite programs in Dallas
- Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation – kites nest in the Bald Cypress forest
- Along major rivers like the Guadalupe, Colorado, Neches, and Red Rivers
The best times to see the kites are during May as they arrive and begin establishing nesting sites. September offers opportunities to observe them gathering in large pre-migratory flocks.
A spotting scope, binoculars, or telephoto camera lens will offer the best chance to admire these graceful flyers. Listen for their thin, high-pitched calls and watch for aerial acrobatics as they hawk insects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mississippi kites are elegant, insect-eating raptors that breed in Texas each summer before migrating to South America for winter. Look for these adaptable flyers hunting over rivers and open woodlands across eastern Texas. Although they face some habitat threats, stable populations continue nesting in areas like the Piney Woods, Post Oak Savannah, and Blackland Prairies regions. Protecting riparian forests and appreciating the aerial artistry of Mississippi kites will help ensure these summer visitors remain a part of Texas’ diverse natural heritage.