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| MEASUREMENTS: The Mississippi Kite has a body length of 13 - 17 inches, a wingspan of 3 feet, and weighs 7 1/2 - 12 ounces. |
 HABITAT: This kite roosts and nests in woodlands, riparian zones, and tree clusters. When hunting, this kite prefers woodland edges, grasslands, savannas, and human-altered areas, like farms and towns. Mississippi Kites spend the summer in the southern United States and migrate as far south as northern Argentina in the winter. |
| DIET: Large insects are the mainstay of the Mississippi Kite, although some amphibians, reptiles, bats, and other small mammals are taken. This bird catches insects in the air, often eating them while flying. |
| REPRODUCTION: Mississippi Kites often nest in loose colonies. The shallow bowl-shaped nest is built of sticks. The female lays 2 eggs that are incubated by both parents for 29 - 31 days. The young birds fledge at 5 weeks. |
| NAME DERIVATION: The scientific name comes from iktinos, the Greek word for a kite, and the Latinized name for Mississippi, where the first scientific specimen was collected. This kite has also been called Mosquito Hawk, Blue Snake-hawk, Hovering Kite, and Locust-eater. |
INTERESTING FACTS:
- The body length and wingspan of the Mississippi Kite and Peregrine Falcon are similar, but the Peregrine Falcon can be 3 times heavier. Lightweight bodies give kites a buoyant flight.
- The male and female Mississippi Kite share the incubation duties. Each bird usually feeds itself when it is not incubating the eggs. In contrast, many female raptors provide most of the incubation, while the male supplies her with food at the nest.
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