They're back ... Mississippi kites return to summer home here

Published Nov. 29, 2006
By Senior Airman Lynne Neveu
Public Affairs

Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- As we enter the 101 days of the Xtreme Challenge and focus on summer safety and taking care of our wingman, a different type of wingman is taking to the skies here.
"At least two nesting pairs of Mississippi Kites are expected to arrive here in the next few weeks, and one pair is already here," said Mark Buthman, DynCorp environmental management.
The Mississippi kite is a migratory bird that comes from South America every year to reproduce. Vance Air Force Base is a nesting place for the Mississippi kite, a gray falcon-shaped bird with orange-red legs, black wings tipped with a white patch, red eyes and up to a 3-foot wing span.
Kites lay their eggs in late May through June, with both parents incubating the eggs and feeding the young, Mr. Buthman said. The eggs hatch in about 30 to 32 days, with the young able to fly and leave the nest 30 to 34 days later.
"This year, the kites have been seen in trees between Building 600 and Building 500," said John Felt, environmental branch manager. "People need to exercise caution in this area and be on the lookout for kites in other areas as well."
Mr. Felt said warning signs are posted in confirmed kite nesting areas. The warning is not only to protect Team Vance, but to safeguard the kites as well.
The Mississippi kite, its nest and eggs are federally protected from being killed, harassed or otherwise harmed under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The bird can become extremely protective of its young and territory, leading it to attack passersby. Attacks from birds on base have resulted in deep cuts requiring stitches and puncture wounds on the head, said Mr. Buthman.
When the nest contains young, the parents become more vocal and up to a dozen may gather to swoop at an intruder, said Brenda Varney, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Wildlife Services. When aggressively protecting its young, the bird will only attack in the immediate vicinity of its nest.
Since kites prefer nesting in the large hardwood trees that occur along some of Vance's walkways, people walking or biking in the area need to keep their guard up, she said.
"The best advice is to avoid nesting areas if at all possible or, at least, try to keep the birds in view while they are flying," said Mr. Felt. The kites' strategy is to strike from behind with their very sharp talons. If it becomes necessary because of attacks, the birds' young will be removed by Wildlife Services. Remember, don't bother the kites and they won't bother back.