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Posted on 7/29/22 at 10:06 am to ShermanTxTiger
We have many in the Natchez MS area. I sit in my zero gravity chair in my back yard and watch them. Awesome to see them go into a dive with their wings tucked.
Truly a great bird!
Truly a great bird!
Posted on 7/29/22 at 10:12 am to ShermanTxTiger
Mostly Ms. Kites around here but every now and then a swallow tail will make a showing. Was outside one morning and one was flying low in the neighborhood. Called my wife outside and it made a cameo right on top of us maybe 40ft in the air. Cool looking birds.
Posted on 7/29/22 at 10:16 am to Cowboyfan89
I think that you are correct about the expansion of some western species into Louisiana. Peveto Woods seems to get one or two each migration or tropical storm.
My wife and I did see the flycatcher but missed the Mountain Bluebird that was hanging around the Old Camp Road area.
We did observe a Rivoli (formally Magnificent) Hummingbird by the parking lot at Sabine NWR 4-12-2021 for about ten minutes. It must have been weary from a long flight because it was very approachable. It took some time for us to research and identify because we did not consider other geographical ranges. It is a Mountain West/Mexico species, and we had no camera.
My wife and I did see the flycatcher but missed the Mountain Bluebird that was hanging around the Old Camp Road area.
We did observe a Rivoli (formally Magnificent) Hummingbird by the parking lot at Sabine NWR 4-12-2021 for about ten minutes. It must have been weary from a long flight because it was very approachable. It took some time for us to research and identify because we did not consider other geographical ranges. It is a Mountain West/Mexico species, and we had no camera.
Posted on 7/29/22 at 10:33 am to ShermanTxTiger
When we recently trimmed our huge palm tree, we uncovered nests of bats. When the bats flew from the palm tree, 2-3 kites flew after them and caught one in mid flight. We did not even know the kites were there.
Awesome spectacle.
Awesome spectacle.
Posted on 7/30/22 at 12:31 am to Got Blaze
Never seen one of these before and had no idea they were that big. Dang, that is one beautiful bird. Thanks for the pics!
Posted on 7/30/22 at 8:41 am to ShermanTxTiger
ARCI Blog
I was working in sw Florida a few years ago and got to see and learn plenty about STKIs. Even got to catch a couple with ARCI.
They are gearing up to migrate to their wintering grounds (Brazil) right now. The Eastern birds move en mass to South Carolina in July to feed heavily on a local food source - I don't remember what it is. Then, late July, they travel enmass through sw Florida, across the gulf to western Cuba, eventually making it to the tip of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.
The western birds, coastal TX and La, either fly straight across or follow the coast.
They eat large flying insects, dragon flies, and canopy dwelling herps - tree frogs and anoles. They also eat on the wing. If you see one hunting then flying in circles, grab your binocs and you can probably watch them feed.
I was working in sw Florida a few years ago and got to see and learn plenty about STKIs. Even got to catch a couple with ARCI.
They are gearing up to migrate to their wintering grounds (Brazil) right now. The Eastern birds move en mass to South Carolina in July to feed heavily on a local food source - I don't remember what it is. Then, late July, they travel enmass through sw Florida, across the gulf to western Cuba, eventually making it to the tip of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.
The western birds, coastal TX and La, either fly straight across or follow the coast.
They eat large flying insects, dragon flies, and canopy dwelling herps - tree frogs and anoles. They also eat on the wing. If you see one hunting then flying in circles, grab your binocs and you can probably watch them feed.
Posted on 7/30/22 at 8:51 am to consumptive_use
The process we used to catch them is pretty cool as well. Great horned owls are kite nest predators. The kites react very aggressively when one is around.
You either find a nest or find an open feeding location, such as a pond/dragonflies, near a nest. Put up a 20 ft high net and tether an ambassador owl in front of it. The kites come in, dive bomb the owl, and get caught in the net.
When I did it, the kites were coming in as soon as the owl came out of the kennel - while we were still holding it and standing around. Once we tethered the owl and got into the blind, it took about 90 seconds to get one in the net.
You either find a nest or find an open feeding location, such as a pond/dragonflies, near a nest. Put up a 20 ft high net and tether an ambassador owl in front of it. The kites come in, dive bomb the owl, and get caught in the net.
When I did it, the kites were coming in as soon as the owl came out of the kennel - while we were still holding it and standing around. Once we tethered the owl and got into the blind, it took about 90 seconds to get one in the net.
Posted on 7/31/22 at 9:25 am to ShermanTxTiger
See them regularly in NE Lafayette Parish country. Only thing that spooks them the couple of bald eagles we see from time to time. They are a sky clearer. Only the red tails stay flying when baldy comes in the area. Kites are cool though.
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