Gorgeous photos! I’ve seen kites wintering in Florida but never around here.
Cinda
On Aug 23, 2021, at 8:27 PM, alan lenk <adlenk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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 Lenk
Asheville
<Swallowtail-KiteCloseMillsRiver©.jpg><MissKiteMillsRiver©.jpg><STKiteAbove,MillsRiver©.jpg><MissKiteMillsRiver2©.jpg><Swallow-tailKiteDiveMillsRiver©.jpg><SWKiteFeedingOnTheFly©.jpg><STKiteHoldingFood©.jpg>
