Texas Mississippi Kites are migrants over the eastern half of the state. They are breeders along the Upper Gulf Coast and the Texas Panhandle. Many spring migrants come through Texas each year, however, this year has brought a fair amount of breeding birds to the Upper Coast. I saw migrants in May, but now am seeing many Texas Mississippi Kites almost every day.
Texas Mississippi Kites are small, slender raptors which feed mostly on insects. The Mississippi Kites soar high above or swoop at treetop level looking for prey. The kite is very acrobatic and graceful and take their prey in flight. Often they feed in flight too. Large dragonflies seem to be a favorite food.
Texas Mississippi Kites from the eastern part of the state tend to nest in old growth or wetland forest areas. Kites are also found in suburban settings near parks or stands of trees. My neighborhood is close to a sizeable bayou. We have large tracts of 40 year old pines resulting in a prime area to attract the kites. The habitat is quite good thus attracting many other species of birds. During the course of a year many raptors have used this area as their nesting or hunting ground. Other raptors in include Red Shouldered Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Migrants such as Swallow tailed Kite, and Broad winged Hawk are also regularly seen. If you follow these links, then you will be able to view images of the other raptors I have seen locally.
I have seen quite a few birds this week and have some photos to share here. Good images of theTexas Mississippi Kites have been difficult to capture because they seem to be on the move most of the time. In addition the lighting hasn’t been ideal. When they do come to rest, they tend to choose very tall trees. I’ll keep trying to improve on my image quality. I hope to update this post if I have some success. Check back for updates.
If you live in the range of this graceful raptor, keep your eyes toward the sky and you may catch a glimpse of these hunters on the wing.
Check out my Brazoria Bird Collection for more local bird photos.
For posts on individual species, navigate to the “Birds I have Known” category
We have several of the Kites in the Grapevine area and it appears the Cicada infestation has brought them here.
Dragonflies, cicadas and other flying insects make up a large proportion of the Mississippi Kite diet.
We have a pair of Mississippi Kites nesting in a small green belt behind our house. They have at least one chick that is out of the nest that they are constantly feeding dragon flys and cicadas. Beautiful birds.
Its nice to be able to watch them raise chicks.
Saw 3 today on my place just outside of Marshall, Texas. One watched me brushhog for about 20 minutes. So handsome!! His profile while perched reminded me of a falcon. When they were flying and the light caught just right, they looked like small Eagles. Beautiful birds.
Saw a tree full in McCown Valley Park on Whitney Lake, TX.
I had never seen one before. The first I saw was sitting in top of a tree when another dive bombed it several times. It just sat there ducking it every time. I got some good shots of the bird. There were about 15 sitting in that tree a few days later. This was back in April.
Saw two flying around big pecan tree looked like they may be building nest! Noticed female in tall bare tree mating two or three times stayed in tree for over three hours. Male would feed her anxious to see if she goes to nest in pecan tree???
First sighting in Missouri City TX (for me at least). For the past couple of weeks a pair have been hanging out in the evening in the pecan tree near my house. No signs they are nesting there, but possibly close by. I hear them calling from the surrounding area quite often.
I am almost positive I seen a Misissippi Kite in Plano . On Custer just North of Custer & Parker intersection , pulled a Uturn , tried to get a picture, but he flew before I could get him in frame , first time I’ve ever seen one , beautiful, I’ll keep an eye open for them when I’m in Sherman..
Have a nest in my front yard. Birds comeback every year hard to do anything in front yard they will dive bomb you and get very close to you if your not watching for them
Have a pair of Mississippi Kites in my around my house using the tree in my front yard as a perch to hunt from. I am in Sherman Texas, about 18 miles from the Texas, Oklahoma border. Never seen one before in my 50 plus years living is this part of the country, pretty birds.
We have been seeing a pair here off Lake Houston near Huffman for the last couple of weeks. Our English setter alerts us when they are in the tree in the front yard.
Here I am think they were trying to get my chihuahua and they eat only insects 😲
I have a pair here in Palestine, been here at least one month. See the female every morning and then both of them in the evenings. Thinking they may be nesting?
Could be nesting nearby. Keep an eye out for behavior that would indicate that.
Nesting? Still seems to be alone, but staying gone more now. I’m keeping periodic watch.
I’m in Nacogdoches County. For almost a week now, a Mississippi Kite has chosen to hang out in a tall dead Oak tree beside my yard. Not seeing them before I thought at first it was a Bald Eagle, soon realized it was too small. Only the one. It will be gone from time to time then returns to the same tree.
I took some pics of it, see no way to include here.
On May 2 2019 100’s circled our street. They seemed juvenile in age. They were not hunting. Dads guess was they were just kicked out of the nest but whatever they were up to was a site to see. BREATHTAKING . all moving as one, going up in 2 sets until you couldnt see them Almost like a dna strand. All landed on the same 2 trees. We are in san antonio
Seeing hundreds probably indicates a group of migrating birds. They are a sight to see enmasse!. Thanks for the comment. Keep your eyes to the sky!
I have been seeing a pair of Mississippi Kites nesting in my neighborhood in Fairfield Texas, in Freestone County, beginning now through early June for the past couple of years. My first sighting of the pair this year was last week, mid February. I have only seen the one pair at any time, so I am not sure how many migrate to this area.