Kite+Info

=Black eared Kite= toc The **Black Kite eared** (//Milvus migrans//) is a medium-sized [|bird of prey] in the family //Accipitridae//, which also includes many other diurnal [|raptors].

They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food.

This [|kite] is widely distributed through the temperate and tropical parts of [|Eurasia] and parts of [|Australasia], with the temperate region populations tending to be migratory.

The **Black eared Kite** (//Milvus migrans//) is a medium-sized [|bird of prey] in the family //Accipitridae//, which also includes many other diurnal [|raptors]. Unlike others of the group, they are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make them easy to identify. This [|kite] is widely distributed through the temperate and tropical parts of [|Eurasia] and parts of [|Australasia], with the temperate region populations tending to be migratory. Several subspecies are recognized and formerly with their own English names. The European populations are small, but the South Asian population is very large.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Kite

=Brahminy Kite=

The **Brahminy Kite** //(Haliastur indus)//, also known as the **Red-backed Sea-eagle**, is a medium-sized [|bird of prey] in the family [|Accipitridae], which also includes many other diurnal [|raptors] such as [|eagles], [|buzzards] and [|harriers].

They are found mainly on the coast and in inland wetlands where they feed on dead fish and other prey.

Adults have a reddish brown plumage and a contrasting white head and breast which makes them easy to distinguish from other birds of prey.

The **Brahminy Kite** //(Haliastur indus)//, also known as the **Red-backed Sea-eagle**, is a medium-sized [|bird of prey] in the family [|Accipitridae], which also includes many other diurnal [|raptors] such as [|eagles], [|buzzards] and [|harriers]. They are found in the [|Indian subcontinent], [|Southeast Asia] and [|Australia]. They are found mainly on the coast and in inland wetlands where they feed on dead fish and other prey. Adults have a reddish brown plumage and a contrasting white head and breast which makes them easy to distinguish from other birds of prey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahminy_Kite

= Red Kite =

The **Red Kite** (//Milvus milvus//) is a medium-large [|bird of prey] in the family [|Accipitridae], which also includes many other [|diurnal] [|raptors] such as [|eagles] , [|buzzards] , and [|harriers].

The species is currently [|endemic] to the [|Western Palearctic] region in [|Europe] and northwest [|Africa], though formerly also occurred just outside in northern [|Iran].

Vagrants have reached north to [|Finland] and south to [|Israel] and [|Libya].

The **Red Kite** (//Milvus milvus//) is a medium-large [|bird of prey] in the family [|Accipitridae], which also includes many other [|diurnal] [|raptors] such as [|eagles] , [|buzzards] , and [|harriers]. The species is currently [|endemic] to the [|Western Palearctic] region in [|Europe] and northwest [|Africa], though formerly also occurred just outside in northern [|Iran] .[|[2]] It is a [|rare species] which is resident in the milder parts of its range in western [|Europe] and northwest [|Africa] , but birds from northeastern and central [|Europe] winter further south and west, reaching south to [|Turkey]. Vagrants have reached north to [|Finland] and south to [|Israel] and [|Libya] .[|[][|2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Kite]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Kite

= Mississippi Kite =

The **Mississippi Kite**, //Ictinia mississippiensis//, is a small bird of prey in the family [|Accipitridae].

It is 12 to 15 inches (30–37 cm) beak to tail and has a [|wingspan] averaging 3 feet (91 cm).

Adults are gray with darker gray on their tail feathers and outer wings and lighter gray on their heads and inner wings.

Young kites have banded tails and streaked bodies.

Mississippi Kites have narrow, pointed wings and are graceful in flight, often appearing to float in the air.

The **Mississippi Kite**, //Ictinia mississippiensis//, is a small bird of prey in the family [|Accipitridae]. It is 12 to 15 inches (30–37 cm) beak to tail and has a [|wingspan] averaging 3 feet (91 cm). Weight is from 214 to 388 grams (7.6-13.7 oz).[|[1]] Adults are gray with darker gray on their tail feathers and outer wings and lighter gray on their heads and inner wings. Males and females look alike, but the males are slightly paler on the head and neck. Young kites have banded tails and streaked bodies.[|[2]] Mississippi Kites have narrow, pointed wings and are graceful in flight, often appearing to float in the air. It is not uncommon to see several circling in the same area. Their diet consists mostly of insects which they capture in flight. They eat [|cicada], [|grasshoppers] , and other crop-damaging insects, making them economically important. They have also been known to eat small [|amphibians], rabbits, and occasionally smaller birds. Their call is a high-pitched squeak, sounding similar to that of a squeaky dog toy. Mississippi Kites breed across the central and southern United States. Breeding territory has expanded in recent years and Mississippi Kites have been sighted in the southern [|New England] states as far as Newmarket NH [|[3]]. They migrate to southern subtropical [|South America] in the winter. Mississippi Kites usually lay two white eggs (rarely one or three) in twig nests that rest in a variety of [|deciduous trees]. In the past 75 years, they have undergone changes in nesting habitat from use of forest and savanna to include [|shelterbelts] and are now very common nesters in [|urban areas] of all sizes in the western south-central states. Mississippi kites nest in [|colonies] and both parents (paired up before arriving at the nesting site) [|incubate] the eggs and care for the young.[|[4]] They have one [|clutch] a year which takes 30 to 32 days to hatch. The young birds leave the nest another 30 to 35 days after hatching. Only about half of kites successfully raise their young. Clutches fall victim to storms and predators such as [|raccoons] and [|Great Horned Owls]. Because of the reduced amount of predators in urban areas, Mississippi Kites produce more offspring in urban areas than [|rural] areas. They have an average lifespan of 8 years[|[4]]. While the Mississippi Kite is not an endangered species [|[5]], it is protected under the [|Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918] [|[6]] , which protects the birds, their eggs, and their nests (occupied or empty) from being moved or tampered with without the proper permits. This can make the bird somewhat of a nuisance when it chooses to roost in populated urban spots such as golf courses or schools. The birds protect their nests by diving at perceived threats, including humans. Staying at least 50 yards from nests is the best way to avoid conflict with the birds. If unavoidable, wearing a hat or waving hands in the air should prevent contact from being made but will not prevent the diving behavior.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_Kite