In rural areas, these acrobatic birds have even been known to hunt in recently mowed hay fields, taking advantage of the disturbance. Foraging areas include open meadows and nearby streams where insects are abundant. Insects are caught in mid-air and are often eaten while on the wing, or in flight. A successful re-introduction programme has resulted in the birds becoming increasingly common in the Black Isle (near Inverness) and the Trossachs. Mississippi kites are insectivorous - feeding primarily on insects - but will also capture reptiles and amphibians. These long, narrow wings are often held in a weak or stretched "M" while flying. Mississippi kites are medium sized birds with a long tail and a three foot wingspan. There are 3 species of kites in Oklahoma that have been spotted and they are the Mississippi Kite, Swallow-tailed Kite, and the White-tailed Kite. Red Slough WMA is Oklahoma’s beloved hotspot for bird watchers, delighted at the idea of coming across 316 species in an area. If coloration can't be determined due to lighting or distance, many bird watchers look at the overall shape and flight pattern of the bird to help with identifications. Comanche and Cimarron also deserve a mention with 317 and 315 counts of species. Juveniles have a streaked body and breast and a barred tail with a shallow notch. An acrobatic flyer, this hawk-like bird feeds primarily on insects, is common in suburban areas, and is well known for its nest defense tactics. These birds, among them the Mississippi kite, winter south of the Equator, but spend spring and summer in the United States and Canada. It's then that birders look forward to seeing a select group of visitors to Oklahoma known as neo-tropical birds. The Mississippi Kite ( Ictinia mississippiensis), are seen in the spring. Spring and early summer are excellent times to find birds in Oklahoma Citythe newly hip capital of the southern plains.
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