Yesterday morning the Mississippi Kite juvenile was perched well above its
nest in the tulip poplar. Today when I arrived at 9:15 it was on another
branch way out from the nest. I located it only because an adult bird came
in to feed it. The juvenile was hidden in very thick leaves. I walked out
from the tree on the east side hoping to glimpse it from another angle but
with no luck. I was totally taken by surprise when it suddenly flew out of
the tree towards me and I watched as it did a perfect loop back into the
crown of the tulip poplar. Nice, strong flight.
Pam Spaulding arrived and after a period of time we got to see it make
another short flight - looping out to the east then back in to the west
side of the tree again. It's landing skills still need some work! The juvie
moved about from branch to branch before settling next to its
nest, camouflaged by a bunch of leaves. The parent birds called to it while
we were there with the juvenile responding. However, once it settled by the
nest they all became quiet. We left a little before 11:00.
Mary Yandell
Louisville
