The Mississippi Kite is an elegant gray raptor that catches large flying insects on the wing, consuming them in flight. It nests in urban parks and suburban neighborhoods in the southern Great Plains, where nesting pairs sometimes dive at people passing under nest trees. Flocks of hundreds migrate south through Texas and Central America in fall.
Best time to see a Mississippi Kite
The best time to see a Mississippi Kite is May–July, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 21,302 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Mississippi Kite? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Mississippi Kite sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Mississippi Kite?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.