Go Fly a (Mississippi) Kite!
August 10, 2010
Article in: Birding
Mississippi Kites have invaded Rockford once again and are becoming “regular” breeders. The birds are often easy to find just hanging out at their favorite perch where they sally for cicadas and harass Chimney Swifts. Here are some photos of an early morning visit with my pup Bella.
The following were digiscoped. The quality isn’t quite as good as the ones taken with the 100-400mm lens but I could get closer AND I was able to digiscope behind a couple other photographers, thus not disturbing the bird or their shots.
These are taken with the Canon 100-400mm lens and cropped. (Taken from a different location and angle, slightly closer.)
My favorite shot, although a bit blurry.
31 Cool Bird Facts #7 – Mississippi Kite
October 7, 2008
Article in: Birding
Back in August of this year, a Mississippi Kite [Ictinia mississippiensis] family was observed hunting Chimney Swifts successfully. Known normally for catching large insects like dragonflies and cicadas, this was pretty impressive, especially considering what superb fliers swifts are.
{Observation from Barbara Williams, local expert birder and conservationist.}
Lord of the Skies – Mississippi Kite [Skywatch Friday]
September 25, 2008
Article in: Photography
Skywatch is upon us for yet another week. We have yet to get tired of the first recorded nesting Mississippi Kites in Winnebago County, Illinois. So here is the male searching for perhaps a dragonfly or Chimney Swift to feed his young.
Bird Photography Weekly #4
September 22, 2008
Article in: Bird Photography Weekly
Bird Photography Weekly #3 yielded only 9 species, down from last week’s ten. Perhaps this week will be more photo-fulfilling! Help spread the word; you know birds are awesome!
Mississippi Kite [juv.]
The list:
- Wood Stork
- Senegal Coucal
- Common Nighthawk
- Red-faced Cormorant
- American White Pelican
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- American Avocet
- Carolina Wren
- Mississippi Kite
Mississippi Kite Nesting?
August 23, 2008
Article in: Birding
After consulting numerous birders coming to view the “Rockford Mississippi Kites”, the original pair of birds now includes a THIRD Kite, this one a juvenile. Thus, the implications are this bird nested here in Rockford, right by a city park and grade school.
We think this was the kite’s nest
(more…)
Casual Mississippi Kite: Photo Life List #239
August 19, 2008
Article in: Birding
Mississippi Kites are not often spotted in Winnebago County, Illinois, so when I (Veery) and Dakota received a phone call that one was only a few miles away, we jumped at the chance. Grabbing the Birdfreak Cannon and the two cousins (Sammie and Allison) we set off in the hopes of gaining a life bird.
The sighting was at a nearby elementary school and we met up some other birders to look for the kite. Within minutes we saw people pointing and there it was, soaring overhead. It came low enough for us to see it in detail and even six-year old Allison got a good look.
It was like a mini block party, with over a dozen people (including some non-birders) hanging out in the streets, watching as a second Mississippi Kite came soaring on by. It was as if the pair was putting on a show just for our benefit.
Unfortunately Birdfreak (Eddie) was stuck at work as we added #239 to the Photo Life List, but it was quite exciting, especially for the young kids, to see a new species.
