While I’ve recently been hoping to see more Swallow-tailed Kites, I was really happy to spot some of their relatives: Mississippi Kites.
Mississippi Kites are smaller than their swallow-tailed cousins but similarly striking with their red eyes, and gray heads and wings. I came across six at Lake Apopka over the weekend. The lighting was not great, but I was happy to photograph them and add a new bird to my life catalog.
Like Swallow-tailed Kites, Mississippi Kites migrate north to parts of the U.S. in the spring to breed. It’s not unheard of for them to be in Central Florida, but they are typically seen more often in the northern part of the state. They also breed in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas as well as their namesake Mississippi and north along the Mississippi River.
The group I saw included some adults and juveniles (who have mottled looking wings). I suspect, like Swallow-tailed Kites, they’ll be heading back to Central and South America by the end of the month, so I’m really happy I got to see them before they leave. Maybe I’ll get to spot some again before they migrate.
