Mississippi Kite in St. Louis County
2012-09-16

'Casual' in Minnesota

Juvenile Mississippi Kite in flight over Hawk Ridge, Duluth on 16 September 2012 at 5:05 pm. This bird was in view off and on for over an hour from 4:08 pm to 5:18 pm., and was seen by many observers. This is the fifth sighting in Duluth this fall, and the third during the official hawk count. In this view note the pale head, streaked underparts, narrow white bars on mostly dark tail, and dark underwings including dark flight feathers but with narrow barring on the underwing coverts. Also note especially the overall shape, with a small head, very pointed wings, wing shape broadest at the bend of the wing, short outermost primary, and long flared tail. Although this is a Casual species with many records, it has seldom been photographed. This also represents one of the latest dates on record.

Karl J. Bardon