In rural areas, these acrobatic birds have even been known to hunt in recently mowed hay fields, taking advantage of the disturbance. Differences: Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Osprey, And Kite Birds As a beginner bird observer, you might find it hard to differentiate raptors or birds of prey from each other. Foraging areas include open meadows and nearby streams where insects are abundant. After about 2-3 weeks, female also may hunt and bring food to nest. Male brings food to nest, and female feeds it to young. Young: During first week after hatching, young are brooded almost continuously by female. Insects are caught in mid-air and are often eaten while on the wing, or in flight. Incubation is by both parents, about 28-31 days. Mississippi kites are insectivorous - feeding primarily on insects - but will also capture reptiles and amphibians. The leg colour is worth noting, but it is not a key diagnostic feature for Australian raptors. These long, narrow wings are often held in a weak or stretched "M" while flying. Eagles have fully feathered legs while kites (including Whistling Kite) and White-bellied Sea-Eagle don’t. ![]() Mississippi kites are medium sized birds with a long tail and a three foot wingspan. If coloration can't be determined due to lighting or distance, many bird watchers look at the overall shape and flight pattern of the bird to help with identifications. Juveniles have a streaked body and breast and a barred tail with a shallow notch. An acrobatic flyer, this hawk-like bird feeds primarily on insects, is common in suburban areas, and is well known for its nest defense tactics. These birds, among them the Mississippi kite, winter south of the Equator, but spend spring and summer in the United States and Canada. It's then that birders look forward to seeing a select group of visitors to Oklahoma known as neo-tropical birds. The Mississippi Kite ( Ictinia mississippiensis), are seen in the spring.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |