The Mississippi kite is a medium-sized raptor found in the southeastern United States. But why is this bird named after the state of Mississippi? In this article, we’ll explore the history behind the Mississippi kite and how it got its name.
The Range and Habitat of the Mississippi Kite
The Mississippi kite is found predominantly across the southeastern United States. Its breeding range stretches from South Carolina, southwest to eastern Texas and Oklahoma, and south to central Florida. The bird migrates in the winter down to southern South America.
This raptor frequents open habitats including farmlands, prairies, meadows, and riparian forests. It is most abundant in areas near water sources such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands. The Mississippi kite often nests in trees in and around these wetland areas.
The bird was first observed and studied along the Mississippi River, which gave rise to its common name. The species is thought to have slowly expanded its range outward from the Mississippi River region. Hence, the Mississippi kite is strongly tied to the Mississippi River area, which led to its naming after the state.
Original Discovery and Naming
The Mississippi kite was first scientifically described by the French-American ornithologist John James Audubon in 1832. Audubon discovered the raptor during an expedition along the Mississippi River and named it Falco mississippiensis, referencing the Mississippi region where he originally found the bird.
The species was reclassified into the genus Ictinia in 1849. Ictinia mississippiensis became the official scientific name, but its common name as the Mississippi kite stuck.
Audubon pioneered the exploration of North American birds in the early 19th century. Many birds were unfamiliar to science at the time. Audubon traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in 1820 documenting the wildlife he encountered. This expedition led him to discover and name many new bird species, including the Mississippi kite.
Abundance in Mississippi
After Audubon’s initial discovery, the Mississippi kite was found to be relatively abundant across Mississippi and Louisiana. Throughout the 1800s, many ornithological records noted the species’ prevalence along the Mississippi River.
In birds, common names sometimes refer to regions where species are most populous. The Mississippi kite’s name follows this convention due to its plentiful numbers found near the Mississippi River during early ornithological surveys.
Mississippi’s riverine geography creates excellent habitat for Mississippi kites. The state contains over 80,000 miles of river shoreline which the birds thrive around. Mississippi kites nest in the treetops of the forests bordering these riparian areas.
The bird’s population numbers have diminished across Mississippi over the past century due to habitat loss. Yet the influence of Mississippi’s river networks on shaping the kite’s name and natural history remains.
Association With the State
Mississippi is now considered the northern extent of the Mississippi kite’s breeding range. The birds summer across the state before migrating south for winter.
The species’ association with Mississippi has persisted as an important part of its identity and name. Mississippi kites grace the state’s skies each summer and are a natural symbol of Mississippi’s ecology.
The Mississippi kite has been adopted as the state bird of Mississippi, owing to its namesake. In 1974, the Mississippi Legislature voted to make the Mississippi kite the official state bird to represent its natural heritage.
Mississippi State Bird Honors
- State bird of Mississippi – 1974
- Featured on the Mississippi commemorative state quarter – 2002
- Included in the state bird stamps series by the U.S. Postal Service – 1982
These honors recognize the Mississippi kite’s uniqueness as a species associated with the state of Mississippi. The state bird status reflects the cultural and historic ties to Mississippi ingrained in its common name.
Physical Description
Now that we’ve covered the origins of its name, what does a Mississippi kite actually look like? Here are some key facts about the bird’s appearance:
- Slim, graceful profile with long pointed wings and a tapered tail
- Adults have pale gray plumage across their backs, wings, and tails
- The head is a lighter silvery-gray
- The belly is white
- Reddish feathers around the eyes
- Bright red-orange legs and feet
Mississippi kites display striking aerial agility thanks to their aerodynamic build. They often ride thermals to soar high in the air without flapping for prolonged periods.
In flight, these raptors showcase their prominent wings and tail along with contrasting dark flight feathers. Adult Mississippi kites have a wingspan around 3 feet but weigh less than 1 pound.
Mississippi Kite Identification
The Mississippi kite’s gray and white plumage combined with its slender, swept-back wings make it distinct. However, the bird can be confused with the similar appearing swallow-tailed kite. Here is a comparison:
Feature | Mississippi Kite | Swallow-tailed Kite |
---|---|---|
Color Pattern | Pale gray back, white front | Black back, white front |
Wings | Long and pointed | Very long and forked |
Tail | Square-tipped | Deeply forked |
Size | 15 inches long | 24 inches long |
Range | Southeastern U.S. | Eastern U.S. and South America |
The swallow-tailed kite is distinctly larger with extra long, forked wings and tail. But juvenile Mississippi kites have mottled blackish feathers that could potentially cause mix-ups with the black-backed swallow-tailed.
Behavior and Diet
Now that we’ve covered the bird’s look, what about its actions? Here are some interesting facts about the Mississippi kite’s behavior and food preferences:
- Active daytime hunter that migrates at night
- Graceful and agile flyer, speeds up to 35 mph
- Maneuvers adeptly when chasing prey mid-flight
- Often soars high without flapping, riding air currents
- Perches prominently atop branches, poles, and wires
- Feeds mostly on insects like cicadas, crickets, beetles, and dragonflies
- Also eats small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, and rodents
- Forages in open fields, forest edges, and wetlands
The Mississippi kite exhibits a mix of active hunting and patient perching behaviors. It navigates smoothly through the air to grab insects, but will also survey and dive from high vantage points. An acrobatic, adaptable feeding style suits the Mississippi kite’s diet of diverse prey.
Mid-Air Maneuvers
Aerial agility is integral to the Mississippi kite’s hunting strategy. Here are some of its impressive maneuvers observed when chasing prey:
- Folding wings to dive and stoop at extreme speeds
- Circling and spiraling upwards without flapping
- Gliding sideways to keep prey in sight
- Swift dives and rapid direction changes
- Grabbing prey with claws and beak in continuous motion
These aerobatics allow Mississippi kites to nimbly scan and pursue prey while airborne. Their speed and precise coordination power their acrobatic hunting flights.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding season provides more fascinating glimpses into the Mississippi kite’s behavior. Here are key facts about their reproduction and nesting:
- Nest in loose groups called colonies
- Build nests high in tall trees, 30-100 feet up
- Stick nests are compact and lined with grass or moss
- Lay 2-3 eggs from May to June
- Both parents incubate eggs for 28 days
- Nestlings fly at around 35 days old
- Fledge by late July and migrate south
Interestingly, while the kites may nest in groups, they are monogamous and stay loyal to their mate year after year. The parents work together to construct the nest, incubate the eggs, feed the young, and protect the nest site after hatching.
Tree Nesting Preferences
Mississippi kites often reuse the same nesting trees annually. Here are the top tree species chosen for nesting:
Tree | Percentage of Nests |
---|---|
Loblolly pine | 25% |
Sweetgum | 16% |
Sycamore | 15% |
Oak | 10% |
Bald cypress | 8% |
Loblolly pines are most popular, though many deciduous trees like sweetgums, sycamores, and oaks are also favored. Kites likely reuse nests to save energy, but switch trees occasionally, especially after nest failures.
Migration
Each fall, Mississippi kites embark on an epic migration to their wintering grounds. Here’s an overview of their migration cycle:
- Leave southern U.S. breeding grounds starting in August
- Form large flocks that travel together
- Fly predominantly at night on southbound fall migration
- Travel over 4,000 miles to central South America
- Spend winter in Bolivia, Paraguay, and surrounding countries
- Begin northbound spring migration in March
- Return to southern U.S. by May to start breeding season
Mississippi kites navigate this mammoth round trip each year. They cover incredible distances of up to 250 miles per night during migration. Their journey includes traversing the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and entire Amazon Rainforest.
Migration Route Map
Here is an overview map of the Mississippi kite’s migration route between their breeding and wintering range:
Tracking studies have revealed their looped migration path over land and sea across the Americas. The kites follow guiding features like coastlines and mountain ranges that facilitate navigation over such far distances.
Conservation Status
After learning so much about the Mississippi kite, what is its current conservation outlook? Here is an overview:
- Populations declining but still relatively widespread
- Total global population estimated at 150,000 to 500,000
- IUCN Red List classification: Least Concern
- Not listed under U.S. Endangered Species Act
- Loss of nesting habitat and insect prey base remain threats
The Mississippi kite still faces concerning declines, especially in its core southern range. However, its extensive overall distribution offers stability. Targeted conservation in certain breeding regions may help populations recover.
Population Trends
Breeding Bird Survey data indicates the Mississippi kite’s population fell by 2.7% per year from 1966 to 2015. Here are breeding and wintering trends:
Region | Population Trend |
---|---|
Southern U.S. breeding range | Declined by 3% per year |
South American wintering range | Relatively stable |
These long-term declines in the core breeding range are concerning. Habitat protection in southern riparian areas may be needed to stabilize the decrease. But stable winter numbers in South America offers hope.
Significance of the Name
In summary, the Mississippi kite’s name directly stems from its original discovery and prominence along the Mississippi River. The species’ strong ties to the state remain today.
Its association with Mississippi shaped the bird’s identity from Audubon’s first pioneering encounter. The local abundance and subsequent naming cemented its regional significance.
The Mississippi kite’s graceful flight, acrobatic hunting, and lengthy migration are all awe-inspiring. This unique raptor well deserves its distinctive name linking it to the majestic Mississippi River.
Understanding the origins of its name provides deeper context on the Mississippi kite’s ecology and history. This knowledge can help inspire greater interest and support for conserving the state bird’s prairie habitats into the future.