Small Bird of Prey - Probably Mississippi Kite

[jefferydfw]

I'm not sure how to go about this....but I live in Benbrook proper (off of Winscott) and just today, two small bird's of prey started building a nest in my next door neighbors front yard tree. It's a heavily wooded front yard with mostly large live oaks. I believe the bird is a kite....most likely a Mississippi Kite but I am only a very AMATEUR bird-watcher. Is there any way I can ask someone from the Fort Worth Audobon Society to come out and verify what bird species this is. I'm very amazed that it's decided to build it's nest in such a densely populated zone....but nobody has noticed it except myself and i'd like to keep it a very low-key event for the sake of the birds. Thus, I don't want to just put the address out on a posting board or anything....but would not mind showing a few interested parties where this event is happening

[Robin G]

Could you post a photo for someone to i.d.?

[Administrator]

It is most likely Mississippi kites. They just started nesting in the area and are very tame and will nest in your yard. Keep an eye out for others as they also nest in loose colonies. Your neighbors may have some nesting in their yards as well. I have seen them nest in very populated neighborhoods.

The other day at the Village Creek drying beds we had close to 100 of them soaring and feeding on insects in the beds.

The reason they nest this late in the spring is because they want the chick to hatch near the first of June because the main diet for the birds to rear the chicks with is the cicada.

[lulubelle]

Does your bird lookl like this? This kite has something in it's bill that makes the bill amost appear longer than it is.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/mississippi_kite/id

[jefferydfw]

I just put 6 pictures up....

[lulubelle]

How lucky are you?!!!! I would love to have kites nesting in my yard! Please post shots of the chicks when they hatch, if you can get decent shots without perturbing the adults. Awesome - thanks for posting your photos!:D

[Robin G]

Thanks for posting the photos. How cool to be able to watch them build their nest!

[Administrator]

Most definately kites. By the way once you put them in the gallery it is real easy to add them to your post. Just copy the html url and enter it with the image icon.


http://www.fwas.org/picture.php?albumid=7&pictureid=62