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Mississippi Kite - Ictinia mississippiensis
PORC Decision
Class: III (An accepted sight or sound record documented and submitted by one observer.)
If Class is blank, then the record has not yet been reviewed
Accepted: Yes
When:
Who:
Where:
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Location:
Exact Site: North Lookout, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
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For older records, view original documentation here.
How Many:
Age/Plumage/Sex: adult in breeding plumage
Habitat: rock outcropping on ridge top
Distance from bird: 10 meters
Viewing Conditions: partly cloudy, bird was back lit.
Optics Used: Swarovski 8.5x42 EL
Description: Similar in size to a small peregrine falcon. Long, narrow, pointed wings, 10th primary was substantially shorter than 9th primary, long, narrow, flared tail (ie., was more narrow where it met the body and wider at the end of the tail), outer retrices were squared off, tail was black with no markings, underwing appeared dark, slim body with gray belly and chest, head was a light gray, much lighter than body.
Behavior: The bird was flying away from when observed. Very buoyant, fluttery flight interspersed with gliding, similar to a nighthawk.
Separation from similar species: Similar in shape and flight to a common nighthawk, but much larger with gray body, light gray head and black tail, short 10th primary and lacks the white stripe in the wing of a nighthawk Separated from american kestrel due to size and merlin due to size, narrow wings and buoyant flight. Had slimmer, more narrow wings, than peregrine falcon. Also had a more slender appearance where peregrines are more stout. The tail was narrower and flared, whereas the tail on a peregrine is more rounded, and not narrow. Ventral side was solid grey with no barring on chest, lacked the dark malar patch of adult peregrine. 10th primary was substantially shorter than 9th. Finally the buoyant flight is very different from powerful direct flight of a peregrine. Separated from male harrier, didn't have black wingtips of male harrier and the tail was black and flared, no white rump patch and the wings were narrow and pointed. 10th primary was substantially shorter than 9th. The gray chest and belly with lighter gray head different from lighter body and dark crown found in male northern harrier. Separated from swallow-tailed kite because it lacked the long forked tail and white chest and belly of a swallow-tailed kite. Separated from white-tailed kite because of the black tail, gray body, light gray head and short 10th primary
How positive are you about the identification: Yes, I am very familiar with this species. I have seen dozens while conducting field work in Texas and have seen over 1000 during migration when I visited the Veracruz River of Raptor watchsite.
eBird Link(s)
References:
After the observation: Hawks from every angle by J. Ligouri
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