small in size, about 10 to 12 inches in length; pix taken in southern Louisiana along highway - the bird was hunting in grassy roadside area.
Just doesn't seem large enough for an osprey, but the coloring of the head and eye area is correct, I believe. Flight pattern was quick darting movements, but I can't remember the wing positions. My ID book shows several different wing positions during flight, but I didn't pay close attention to the wings during flight. White breast, dark head with dark eye area...do mississippi kites have that coloration, also?
Just doesn't seem large enough for an osprey, but the coloring of the head and eye area is correct, I believe. Flight pattern was quick darting movements, but I can't remember the wing positions. My ID book shows several different wing positions during flight, but I didn't pay close attention to the wings during flight. White breast, dark head with dark eye area...do mississippi kites have that coloration, also?