Breeding Behavior of the Mississippi Kite (Ictinia Mississippiensis) in Northwestern Oklahoma

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if significant differences existed between the nesting chronology and reproductive success of single nesting pairs and that of colony nesting pairs of Mississippi kites, and to determine to what extent the size of the colony and activity patterns were influenced by the sex of the birds, time of day~ stage of breeding cycle, clutch size, and nest height-tree height characteristics. Shelterbelts were selected and inspected periodically to estimate reproductive success and to observe activity patterns. Reproductive success was analyzed by the Mayfield method, and activity patterns were categorized and analyzed from time budget data to identify biotic and behavioral factors that may regulate the success of colony and single nesting pairs.