Mississippi Kite

Kites have been actively breeding here in the panhandle of Texas, even now at the end of May. There seems to be quite a bit more of them this year.

I have noticed something "different" about them this year. They are sporting rusty brown on their wings. I don't know if it's a variant coming out, an indication of maturity, or just an individual thing. Here are a couple of photos showing it:

(More Mississippi Kite photos and info HERE.)

If anybody has any idea about this, please let me know.
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Mississippi Kite

We've been getting fleeting glimpses of kites in the panhandle over the last couple of weeks. These two made an appearance yesterday in one of our trees. The upper one brought a grasshopper to the lower one. Hopefully, they will nest in a tree we can observe them in.

(More photos and info HERE.)

One thing I noticed about these is the rusty brown streaks on the wings. I've never noticed this coloration on Mississippi Kites before.
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