Friends,
As Jay just mentioned, there's a bit of a bird show going on in Mills River, a
kite show be exact. My show was seen this morning after scanning the skies
above the fields to find the kites. First looking and spotting them along
Banner Farm Rd. just east of the intersection with School House Rd. Then along
Jeffrees Rd. about a half mile east of the intersection with Hwy 191.
Swallow-tail Kites and Mississippi Kites were both observed, but swallowtail
were much more abundant. It's easy to tell the difference between these kites
by size, color and shape. The Swallowtail is roughly 22" in length with a
wingspan of 51" (photo 1), compared to the Mississippi with 14'' length and
31" wingspan (photo 2). Color is distinctive: the swallowtail underside is
black and white. A white head, belly, and underwing coverts. The top side of
this kite shows shiny black wings and tail with the white head (photo 3).
Mississippi coloration is more variable, especially juvenile birds. I only saw
juvenile birds, bearing a spotted brown breast and forewings with a brown
tinge (photo 4). The head is pale. Adults tend to be more uniform gray in
color. The shape differences between these kites is a no brainer. The
swallowtail has the long forked tail that is totally lacking in the
Mississippi's rather square or flared tail, depending on position.
Both kites fly with grace, precision, and maneuverability. The command of
their air space is needed to catch prey, often intercepting insects such as
dragonflies and cicadas in flight. Swallowtails especially were observed
diving abruptly to hawk an insect (photo 5). Catching the prey in their claws
they were seen transferring food to their mouth (photo 6).
Both of these birds come to our area to breed and have chicks before returning
to Central and South American this fall. Don't miss out seeing them while they
are still here and displaying their wonder. The last photo shows a swallowtail
passing right over my head with a insect securely in it claws.
Alan LenkAsheville
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