Mississippi Picked Wrong State Bird

The mockingbird is Mississippi’s official state bird; I looked it up. After spending several days in our neighboring state a few years ago, I’m of the opinion that whoever chose the mocker picked the wrong bird. The right choice, in my opinion, was right there all along, soaring, dipping and diving over the Mississippi terrain, the ictinia mississippiensis.

If the Latin name fails to yank your chain, try Mississippi kite. The bird was so named because the first scientific specimen was collected in Mississippi, although the bird makes its summer home in other states as well. All summer long, I have enjoyed watching kites gliding and darting over the pasture across the road from my house but getting to watch Mississippi kites gliding on the Mississippi side of the Mississippi River was all I needed to convince me they should be the state bird of Mississippi.

My introduction to Mississippi kites came several years ago when Joe Mitcham, of Mitcham’s Peach Orchard fame pointed some out to me as they sailed high above his orchard. Later, a friend told me about kites nesting in a big tree in his yard just outside Ruston. On my daily walks at Lincoln Parish Park, I have seen the birds soaring around the lake and have heard reports of kites nesting at the park.

These are beautiful raptors, dark gray and white, measuring a little over a foot in length with a three-foot wingspan. While Mississippi kites will eat frogs, lizards, small snakes and rodents, the principal diet is large insects caught and eaten in mid-air. The dragonfly is the main entrée on the birds’ menu and one source I read mentioned observing Mississippi kites grabbing and eating dragonflies and the resultant shower of glitter around the action as the hapless insects’ disembodied wings, reflected in the sunlight, flutter down.

Last week, Kay and I were parked in town when I noticed a couple of Mississippi kites circling, diving and darting in the sky above us. I quickly learned why they were there when I saw what had their attention; several dragon flies were flying around.
I learned something else about these beautiful birds after checking up on them via the Internet.

Someone raised the question about the aggressiveness of Mississippi kites. “They will aggressively defend their nests and will dive at any intruder – including humans – that gets too close. A simple way to avoid getting “attacked” is to leave the area alone until after the chicks fledge.”

Several years ago while taking my daily walk around the lake at Lincoln Parish Park, I happened to stop and glance at movement in an oak above my head. There sat a Mississippi kite giving me a stare-down with its piercing eyes that told me I’d better vamoose if I knew what was good for me. Obviously, there was a nest nearby.

I have been chased from being too near nesting boxes where bluebirds were tending their young or nests in bushes occupied by mockingbirds. These mamas protecting their young were no real threat but one good look at the kite glaring down at me let me know I’d best move along quickly as I for sure didn’t want something as large as a small hawk zooming down on my noggin.

I snapped a quick photo with my phone before skedaddling on down the trail, a photo that shows those menacing red eyes. Had I lingered a few seconds more, I might have found out just what these handsome but fierce-when-protecting-nests birds are capable of.

If you’re out and about our part of the world this summer, be watching for a crow-sized bird circling around overhead. If it’s not a crow, hawk or a vulture, chances are, you’re looking at a Mississippi kite. Just don’t hang around too long where kites are nesting.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Bass are best at night on soft plastics and dark colored crank baits. Some are caught early morning around the grass on topwater lures. Some schooling activity is being noted with fish hitting shad imitations. Crappie are around the deep tops and jigs and shiners are taking some big ones. Bream both chinquapins and bluegills are on the beds and hitting crickets and worms. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass have been good early mornings on topwaters and on creature baits, Sinko’s and soft plastics. Crappie are on the flats and are biting on shiners or jigs. The bream are bedding around the edges of the brush. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – High water but on a slow fall. Some bass caught in the cuts and in the back water on buzz baits and spinner baits. Crappie are best in river lakes, bream are biting in the backwaters. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass fishing has been best on crank baits, Wobbleheads and Ole Monster plastic worms. Crappie are suspended and best fishing has been in the hottest part of the day on jigs and shiners. Bream are bedding shallow and hitting worms and crickets and catfish are good fishing off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been fair to good on jigs and shiners. Bass are around the banks and hitting topwaters early while later hitting hit jigs, spinners and soft plastics. Bream are on the beds and worms and crickets are producing some nice stringers. Stripers are schooling and hitting shad imitations. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfish are biting. Bass, crappie and bream are slow. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is slowly falling but still too high for access to the landing. Needs another week or so. No fishing this week. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.