City Kites

[Clyde Sorenson <clyde_sorenson@ncsu.edu>]

All,

In the southern Plains states (OK, Kansas, and to some extent Nebraska), 
Mississippi kites are most abundant in and around towns, where they can 
find the large trees (in the form of suburban shade trees) they prefer 
for nesting. In at least a couple of towns in OK, if I remember 
correctly, the kites actually are something of a nuisance because of 
their defensive behaviors around the nest. In these areas, the kites 
were associated with the gallery forests along major watercourses prior 
to European settlement.

Take care,

Clyde Sorenson
Clayton and Raleigh, NC