mississippi kite birds of prey wichita ks

Members of the FHSU Health and Wellness Services team suggest that if you experience an injury related to a kite strike, especially one that leaves a cut or contusion, you should seek medical attention to avoid possible infection. Thus far, the university has received no reports of kite strikes that have led to cuts, bruises, bicycle crashes, or other injuries. We have also received reports of individuals receiving thumps on the head from the knuckles of the bird's rolled talons. Reports of close encounters of the kite kind include instances of the fast-moving raptor swooping low to buzz pedestrians. The intention was to create a buffer to give the kites a safe space to roost.ĭespite the best efforts of the FHSU Grounds team, a steady stream of first-hand accounts seem to indicate that at least one of the nesting kites-likely the male-remains bent on defending his nest and a good portion of central campus. In response to ongoing aerial kite onslaughts, the university erected a 20-foot perimeter of barricades and bright yellow “caution” tape around the tree.

It turns out that at least one of our winged summer guests is among that 20% of more aggressive kites. Statistics provided by the Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University indicate that instances of aggressive swoop attacks by kites occur at less than 20% of nesting sites. One pair of kites has nested in a tree between Forsyth Library and Malloy Hall on Campus Drive, vigorously defending the surrounding area of several hundred yards. HAYS, Kan - Each spring, scores of Mississippi Kites, graceful raptors the size and shape of a peregrine falcon, journey to Kansas from their winter homes in South America to nest and raise their young.Īll eyes have been focused on the skies above the FHSU campus this spring and summer, alert to the presence of Mississippi Kites.

Mississippi kite birds of prey wichita ks