Mississippi Kites in Topeka 2018

The kites in this video were found on September 2, 2018 in southwest Topeka Kansas. Mississippi kites are a kind of hawk. They are called kites because they catch the wind and ride it like a kite! Mature kites have a pale gray head and body with dark gray wings. Their tail is black. The juvenile kites have brown streaked undersides and dark gray backs. Kites used to be a very rare bird in Topeka. But in 2013 they were spotted at a local park. The high count in 2013 was 8. Each year their numbers have increased. In 2018 over 40 of them were counted in one location in Topeka. Insects make up most of their diet. The Topeka kites were observed catching flying cicadas with their feet and eating them while soaring through the air. In early September these kites will join up with other kites and migrate to South America. They will return the following spring to nest.