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Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis

Bird · family Accipitridae · order Accipitriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
25 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
11 years[4]

The Mississippi Kite is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act and NatureServe ranks it Secure worldwide[1][2].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Mississippi Kite a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. Its US rank is N5B, Secure for the breeding season[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B (Secure (breeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
CITES (international trade)[9] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] 100,000 to 1,000,000 individuals

Where Mississippi Kite lives

NatureServe lists the Mississippi Kite as native in 25 US states and territories[3]. These include Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin, among others[3]. NatureServe also gives each state its own conservation rank, and the ranks differ from state to state[11]. Online observation records are most plentiful for Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida and South Carolina, but that mostly reflects where people look and report[12].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: native, state rank S3BWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: native, state rank S2ILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: native, state rank S1BINOhio: native, state rank S4BOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: native, state rank SNA,S4NNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: native, state rank S1BCONebraska: native, state rank S1BNEMissouri: native, state rank S3MOKentucky: native, state rank S2BKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: native, state rank S2BVAMaryland: native, state rank S1BMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: native, state rank S2BAZNew Mexico: native, state rank S2B,S3NNMKansas: native, state rank S4BKSArkansas: native, state rank S4B,S4NARTennessee: native, state rank S2TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S3BNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4SCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNRBOKLouisiana: native, state rank S5BLAMississippi: native, state rank S4BMSAlabama: native, state rank S4ALGeorgia: native, state rank S3GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S4BTXFlorida: native, state rank S3BFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (25 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS4Apparently Secure
ArizonaS2BImperiled (breeding)
ArkansasS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
ColoradoS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
FloridaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
GeorgiaS3Vulnerable
IllinoisS2Imperiled
IndianaS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
KansasS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
KentuckyS2BImperiled (breeding)
LouisianaS5BSecure (breeding)
MarylandS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
MississippiS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MissouriS3Vulnerable
NebraskaS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
New JerseySNA,S4NNot Applicable, Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS2B,S3NImperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
North CarolinaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
OhioS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
OklahomaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
South CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
TennesseeS2Imperiled
TexasS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
VirginiaS2BImperiled (breeding)
WisconsinS3BVulnerable (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for this bird, including hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, woodland, savanna, grassland, shrubland, forested wetland and riparian areas[13]. For breeding, it uses tall forest, open woodland, prairie and wooded strips near water in open country[14]. It needs open ground near the nest for hunting[14]. It builds its nest in the fork of a tree and often reuses an old kite nest[14]. It may sometimes nest among mature trees in towns[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Mississippi Kite is about 37 cm (15 in) long and weighs about 314 g[15][16]. Its diet is estimated at 90% invertebrates and 10% other vertebrates[17]. It eats mainly large flying insects caught in the air, especially cicadas and grasshoppers[18]. It sometimes takes small birds, reptiles, frogs or mice[18]. A pair raises one brood a year and the clutch size is one to two, usually two[19]. Both parents incubate for 29 to 31 days[19]. Young birds can fly at 34 days[19]. The oldest known wild bird was at least 11 years 0 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 37 cm (15 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 314 g (11.1 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[20] 11.2 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 11 years 0 months
Litter or clutch size[21] 2
Gestation or incubation[22] 31 days
Female maturity[23] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[24] Carnivore, Invertivore
Migration[25] long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[17]

  • 90% invertebrates
  • 10% other vertebrates

When to look for it

The Mississippi Kite is a long-distance migrant[25]. It arrives in the southern US in late March or early to mid-April[26]. It heads south mainly from late August through September[26]. It is mostly active by day, with some activity around dawn and dusk, which is what crepuscular means[27][28]. Nest preparation starts in early to mid-May[19]. Online observation records peak in May, July and August and are very low from November to February[29].

January: 28 recordsJanFebruary: 42 recordsFebMarch: 484 recordsMarApril: 37,362 recordsAprMay: 129,296 recordsMayJune: 79,684 recordsJunJuly: 98,906 recordsJulAugust: 103,919 recordsAugSeptember: 26,987 recordsSepOctober: 1,754 recordsOctNovember: 64 recordsNovDecember: 18 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[29].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January28
February42
March484
April37,362
May129,296
June79,684
July98,906
August103,919
September26,987
October1,754
November64
December18

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Mississippi Kite as present in 34 park units[30]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 10 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina[12]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Mississippi Kite endangered?
No. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, Secure, worldwide[2].
Where does the Mississippi Kite live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 25 US states and territories, including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida and Arizona[3].
What does the Mississippi Kite eat?
It eats mainly large insects caught in flight, especially cicadas and grasshoppers[18]. Its diet is estimated at 90% invertebrates[17].
How big is a Mississippi Kite?
It is about 37 cm (15 in) long and weighs about 314 g[15][16].
How long does a Mississippi Kite live?
The oldest known wild bird was at least 11 years 0 months old[4]. The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 11 years or a little more[20].

Facts and sources

  1. Mississippi Kite is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Mississippi Kite: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Mississippi Kite as native in 25 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Mississippi Kite from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 11 years 0 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) is a bird in the family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B (Secure (breeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Mississippi Kite is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 100,000 to 1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Mississippi Kite (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Mississippi Kite: Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Mississippi Kite: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Forested wetland, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Mississippi Kite. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 37 cm (15 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 314 g (11.1 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  17. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 90% invertebrates, 10% other vertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  18. NatureServe notes on food for Mississippi Kite. NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Mississippi Kite. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 11.2 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  21. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 2. AnAge
  22. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 31 days. AnAge
  23. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  24. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  25. NatureServe migration category for Mississippi Kite: long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on migration for Mississippi Kite. NatureServe Explorer
  27. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  28. NatureServe notes on phenology for Mississippi Kite. NatureServe Explorer
  29. GBIF observation records of Mississippi Kite in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  30. NPSpecies park lists recording Mississippi Kite as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.