Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis (Wilson, 1811)    Synonyms: MIKI.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Aves   >   Order Accipitriformes   >   Family Accipitridae   >   Genus Ictinia   

Status:

Rare but increasing spring migrant that has become regular in late April and May. Increasing as a breeder in the northeastern U.S. and recently confirmed nesting in Maryland.

Where to find:

Fort Smallwood Park hawk watch in spring migration.

Relationships:

Aerial insectivore with an affinity for dragonflies. Like so many other bird species, takes advantage of Magicicada emergences.

There are 115 records in the project database.

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A Mississippi Kite in Howard Co., Maryland (5/29/2017). Photo by Anthony VanSchoor. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in Howard Co., Maryland (8/1/2015). Photo by Bonnie Ott. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in flight over Howard Co., Maryland (8/1/2015). Photo by Bonnie Ott. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in Harford Co., Maryland (5/5/2016). Photo by Matthew Addicks. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in Howard Co., Maryland (5/19/2019). Photo by Anthony VanSchoor. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in Howard Co., Maryland (5/29/2017). Photo by Anthony VanSchoor. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite with nesting material in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/17/2021). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in Worcester Co., Maryland (5/24/2015). Photo by Mike Burchett. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite on nest in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/14/2021). (c) Tim Frye, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Tim Frye via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/19/2022). (c) Dave, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Dave via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in Worcester Co., Maryland (5/24/2015). Photo by Mike Burchett. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite on nest in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/14/2021). (c) Tim Frye, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Tim Frye via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in Wicomico Co., Maryland (7/10/2008). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/22/2022). (c) Tim Frye, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Tim Frye via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/19/2022). (c) rosalie-rick, all rights reserved. Photo by rosalie-rick via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in Worcester Co., Maryland (5/28/2014). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

A subadult Mississippi Kite soars over Fort Smallwood Park in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/11/2013). Photo by Mr. Chen. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite in pursuit of prey in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/17/2021). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite in pursuit of prey in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/14/2021). (c) Gregg Petersen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Gregg Petersen via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kites at nest in Calvert Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Jason E. Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jason Avery. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/17/2021). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Mississippi Kite in Worcester Co., Maryland (5/28/2015). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/5/2021). (c) tomfeild, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Tom Feild. (MBP list)

Mississippi Kite in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/20/2022). (c) Dave Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Dave Roberts. (MBP list)


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