Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis

Explore this bird

Identification

37 cm (14") Uncommon. Open southern woodlands, swamps.

Falcon-like hawk; long pointed wings. Pale head with red eyes. Dark gray above, pale gray beneath. Long black unbarred tail.

Eats insects from the air or ground.

Details in the field

6 photos

Credit: Judy Howle

Credit: MRHSfan

Credit: Tom Smith

Credit: Judi

Credit: Jason Forbes

Credit: Phil Walsh

Where it lives

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 4 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

2 rules

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 2

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the wings and underbody · Mainly on the wings · None · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Pointed · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the TAIL ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States · Southwestern United States

result:373-mississippi-kite:1:1 Source: 373 Mississippi Kite, row 1

Rule 2 13 criteria confidence 2

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the TAIL ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States · Southwestern United States

result:373-mississippi-kite:2:1 Source: 373 Mississippi Kite, row 2

2 rules

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 2

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Pointed · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States · Southwestern United States

result:374-mississippi-kite-immature:1:1 Source: 374 Mississippi Kite (Immature), row 1

Rule 2 11 criteria confidence 2

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States · Southwestern United States

result:374-mississippi-kite-immature:2:1 Source: 374 Mississippi Kite (Immature), row 2