Mississippi Kite
ExploreBirds
Mississippi Kite
Ictinia mississippiensis
The Mississippi Kite is a graceful bird that loves to soar high in the sky. With its long wings and sharp eyes, it hunts for insects and small animals while flying.
Habitat: Urban areas, Forests
Appearance
The Mississippi Kite has a sleek, gray body, darker wingtips, and a pale head. Its striking red eyes and long, narrow, pointed wings set it apart, often ending in a moderately forked tail.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAccipitriformesFamilyAccipitridaeGenusIctinia
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
41
Interesting facts
Juvenile Mississippi Kites have brown eyes that gradually turn brilliant red as they grow older!
Mississippi Kites sometimes nest in urban areas, even raising their young in city parks!
These amazing birds rarely land to eat, often snacking on insects while still flying!
They are quite social and will often gather in large flocks during their long migrations!
Special abilities
Ability
Aerial Acrobatics
Mississippi Kite can perform amazing aerial stunts to catch fast-moving insects mid-flight because of their incredible agility.
Ability
Mid-air Snatcher
Mississippi Kite can snatch insects, and even small reptiles, from trees or the ground without landing, using precise aerial maneuvers.
Ability
Thermal Glider
Mississippi Kite can effortlessly glide on rising warm air currents, conserving energy during long migrations and while hunting.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 29-37 cm
- Wingspan
- 75-84 cm
- Weight
- 0.214-0.343 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-12 years
- Top Speed
- 65 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-3
- Incubation
- 29-32 days
- Migration Distance
- 6000 km
Diet & Feeding
These agile raptors are expert bug-catchers, snacking mostly on flying insects and small critters.
Primary Foods
- Dragonflies
- Cicadas
- Grasshoppers
- Locusts
- Small Lizards
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
hunts
Green Darner
Anax junius
A major part of its insect diet.
hunts
Swamp Cicada
Neotibicen pruinosus
A common meal during summer.
hunts
American Grasshopper
Schistocerca americana
Caught mid-air or from vegetation.
eaten by
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Preys on eggs and nestlings.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
Kite
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Watch birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Mississippi Kite?
The easiest way to identify Mississippi Kite is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Mississippi Kite?
29-37 cm
What is Mississippi Kite's wingspan?
75-84 cm
How much does Mississippi Kite weigh?
0.214-0.343 kg
How long does Mississippi Kite live?
1-12 years
How fast can Mississippi Kite move?
65 km/h
What does Mississippi Kite eat?
These agile raptors are expert bug-catchers, snacking mostly on flying insects and small critters.
Where is Mississippi Kite usually found?
Urban areas, Forests
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Jun 6, 2026
Auburn University Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Djibo Zanzot, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
License: CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 6, 2026
Hattiesburg Zooi
Photo attribution
(c) Ken Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 5, 2026
Glenview Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Ken Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 2, 2026
Topeka Zooi
Photo attribution
(c) Robert Hoard, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
Park47 sightings50 species
Louisiana, US
Broadmoor
You might spot Brown Anole, White Ibis, and Duck.
View guide →
Park47 sightings50 species
South Carolina, US
Charleston Historic District
You might spot Brown Pelican, Boat-Tailed Grackle, and Great Egret.
View guide →
Park43 sightings50 species
South Carolina, US
Columbia Historic District I
You might spot Anole, Asian Lady Beetle, and Gulf Fritillary.
View guide →
Park37 sightings50 species
Oklahoma, US
Darlington Agency
You might spot Hoary Vervain, Buffalo Gourd, and Pond Slider.
View guide →
Park47 sightings50 species
US
French Quarter
You might spot Brown Pelican, Boat-Tailed Grackle, and Great Egret.
View guide →
Park36 sightings50 species
Texas, US
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
You might spot Brown Anole, Gulf Fritillary, and Pond Slider.
View guide →
_South_Bruny.jpg&width=800)
