MissiMissiAvian AmbassadorAvian AmbassadorWild Bird RescueWild Bird Rescue

Soaring with easeSoaring with ease   on the lightest breeze   on the lightest breeze

she's so she's so joyous to be aloft.joyous to be aloft.

  On wings spread wideOn wings spread wide

   through the heavens she'll    through the heavens she'll glideglide

on feathers whisper soft.on feathers whisper soft.

Adult Mississippi Kites are falcon-Adult Mississippi Kites are falcon-shaped with light gray under parts, a shaped with light gray under parts, a dark gray dorsal surface, and a black dark gray dorsal surface, and a black unbarred tail. They primarily are unbarred tail. They primarily are insect eaters, with a preference for insect eaters, with a preference for grasshoppers, cicadas, dragonflies, grasshoppers, cicadas, dragonflies, and other insects that they will catch and other insects that they will catch in flight and consume in midair. in flight and consume in midair. Mississippi Kites arrive in Wichita Mississippi Kites arrive in Wichita Falls around April from their Falls around April from their wintering grounds in Argentina.wintering grounds in Argentina.

Both the male and female will take Both the male and female will take turns sitting on the eggs. Once the turns sitting on the eggs. Once the eggs hatch both parents will eggs hatch both parents will continue to feed the nestlings. Often continue to feed the nestlings. Often last years nestlings will remain with last years nestlings will remain with the parent to help feed and care for the parent to help feed and care for the new nestlings. This is very the new nestlings. This is very unusual in the animal world.unusual in the animal world.

Mississippi Kites are fully protected Mississippi Kites are fully protected under the Federal Migratory Bird under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) and state Treaty Act (1918) and state regulations. It is illegal to take, regulations. It is illegal to take, possess, transport, sell, or purchase possess, transport, sell, or purchase Mississippi Kites or their parts without Mississippi Kites or their parts without a permit. These regulations also a permit. These regulations also protect the kite’s eggs and nests, even protect the kite’s eggs and nests, even nests that have been abandoned after nests that have been abandoned after the breeding season. the breeding season.

Wild Bird Rescue will take Missi into Wild Bird Rescue will take Missi into classrooms for presentations. She classrooms for presentations. She will help students better understand will help students better understand the importance of habitat the importance of habitat conservation. If we all take care of conservation. If we all take care of our world, birds like Missi will our world, birds like Missi will always have a place to live.always have a place to live.

If you would like to donate to Missi’s If you would like to donate to Missi’s care, please mail all donations to Wild care, please mail all donations to Wild Bird Rescue, 4611 Lake Shore Drive, Bird Rescue, 4611 Lake Shore Drive, Wichita Falls, TXWichita Falls, TX

76310 76310

Won’t you please help!Won’t you please help!