Dive! Dive! Dive! Remain vigilant, keep your distance from Mississippi Kites

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nancy Falcon
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  If you can dodge a wrench you can also dodge a --bird? That's right, "Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive and Dodge" is no longer a trick for avoiding dodgeballs; it's a maneuver many Airmen need when they visit the base park.

For 25 years, the Mississippi Kite has made Vance its home. The hawk-like birds, native to South America, are known for their defense tactics, including diving at suspected threats.

Richard Johndrow, the lead pest control operator here, knows this bird very well.

The first report he received, 25 years ago, was from a woman living in base housing, he said. She claimed there was a bird that would swoop through her baby's stroller every time she went to her back patio.

Protected by the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Johndrow learned that Vance had become a late spring-early summer home of an aggressive, yet protected type of bird. 

"If you touch, harass or bother them, you could be charged for violating one or both of these acts," said Johndrow.

The Mississippi Kites come to Vance for nesting in May and they migrate out in July.

"The Siberian Elm trees that were planted at Vance in the 40's were strong, fast-growing trees" said Johndrow. "They are old now and are leaving a place for nesting. Once they develop a nest, you can't cut the trees down until after chicks leave their nest."
The base park has an abundance of these trees, and there are a few near the Child Development Center. These trees are optimal for nesting due to their perching limbs.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Mississippi Kites can be easily identified by several features including color, shape and flight pattern.

These medium sized birds are 13-17 inches long and have a dark gray back, a light gray head and body, red eyes and a dark gray to black tail. They also have a 3-foot wingspan and fly holding an "M" shape with their wings.

Oklahoma is only a breeding ground for the Mississippi Kite. If they are nesting, they will dive at any intruder to defend their nests. They don't usually attack if they are not nesting.

"Kites are not a problem, you just have to learn how to coexist with them until they have chicks and then migrate back to South America" said Johndrow.

If you encounter these birds while they are nesting, keep your distance, he said. If you see baby birds on the ground trying to fly, do not go near them because the parents are nearby watching them, and they will attack to defend their babies.