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Nombre

Nombre latino
Nombre español

Canción

The Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)  Read in Spanish

Appearance: The Mississippi Kite is a small to medium-sized raptor with a wingspan of about 76-89 cm (30-35 inches) and a length of approximately 30-36 cm (12-14 inches). It has a distinctive gray plumage overall, lighter on the head and underparts and darker on the wings and tail. Mississippi Kites have red eyes, a hooked beak, and long, pointed wings.

Habitat: Mississippi Kites inhabit open woodlands, savannas, grasslands, and urban areas. They are often found in areas with mature trees for nesting and open spaces for hunting. During the breeding season, they prefer areas with tall trees for nesting sites.

Behavior: Mississippi Kites are known for their graceful and agile flight, with the ability to hover, glide, and catch prey on the wing. They primarily feed on insects, such as grasshoppers, dragonflies, and beetles, which they catch in flight. These kites are social birds and may be observed in groups, especially during migration and in communal roosting sites.

Breeding: Breeding pairs of Mississippi Kites construct stick nests in the canopy of trees, typically in isolated or scattered trees. They lay 1-3 eggs per clutch, with an incubation period of about 28-30 days. Both parents participate in incubation and caring for the young, which fledge after 4-5 weeks.

Conservation Status: The Mississippi Kite is not considered globally threatened and is generally known to have stable populations.

Distribución

Taxonomía

El nombre ( nombre latino )

  • Reino Animal
  • Filo: Cordados
  • Clase: Aves
  • Orden: Accipitriformes
  • Familia: Accipítridos
  • Género: latín
  • Especie: nombre latino

Vocalización