Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis), Duncan, Greenlee County

This Mississippi Kite was photographed by Robert Shantz on 15 June 2009.

Missippi Kites are very rare in Arizona away from the known breeding areas along the San Pedro River, principally Dudleyville and St. David.  Prior to 2007, there may have been only one record of Mississippi Kite for Greenlee County, although this is a very underbirded area.  In August of 2007, Phil Norton observed 3 Mississipi Kites along the Gila River near Duncan in Greenlee County.  On 9 May 2009 he observed two birds in this location and on 10 June 2009 Troy Corman discovered a nest.  Troy suspects there may be other nesting pairs in this underexplored area as the habitat is extensive, particularly from Sheldon upstream to the New Mexico stateline

15 June 2009, photo by Robert Shantz

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