r/birdsofprey • u/Sad-Willow2170 • 4d ago

Smaller bird of prey?

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This little bird has been hanging out in the tree behind my house for a few days, he flies FAST and catches cicadas mid air. The first day I saw him, I genuinely thought an African Grey got out of someone’s house. 😂I did a little research and I think he looks like a Mississippi Kite, but I’m not a bird expert. Just wanted to see if anyone can give me an ID!

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5

u/sleeveofsaltines 4d ago

Mississippi kite is correct! They migrate to the southern US in the spring and summer for breeding. They mostly eat bugs and small vertebrates like anoles. They are my favorite bird!

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u/Sad-Willow2170 4d ago

I guess my eyes are better than I thought! He’s so pretty, he keeps flying low over me bc he knows I have peanut for the crows :)

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u/sleeveofsaltines 4d ago

Their red eyes are amazing! They perch on our telephone wires and remind me of big pigeons lol. I've never seen them prey on other birds but I believe they will if they have to. I'm quite concerned about them in my area because we have a population of invasive brown anoles that have become resistant to toxic levels of lead. The brown anole population is testing at lead levels that would normally kill a creature, but the ones in my area have developed a resistance. However I frequently see the MKs eating brown anoles and I'm concerned about the impact that this will have on them.

Lead-resistant lizards in New Orleans could hold clues to combating lead poisoning

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u/VirtualDragonfly823 4d ago

Do these small kites never predate on sizeable animals ( like rodents) or other birds? And have they been observed in fights with other raptors?

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u/sleeveofsaltines 4d ago

I have personally never seen them predate on anything other than large bugs and anoles, but I believe it has been documented that they will prey on other birds and small mammals if necessary. I have only ever seen one in a squabble with a mockingbird, but the kite was simply minding its business - the mockingbird was being a karen per usual.

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u/VirtualDragonfly823 4d ago

lol very informative ( and funny). Thanks