Mississippi Kite

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Mississippi Kite

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Contact Information
Contact Jill Keepes
Phone: 812-582-0884
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Country: United States

Species: MIKI

Is rehabilitation complete?: yes

This animal has potential as a : static display animal

This animal is: wild reared

Age: Possible 2nd year, most likely 3rd year male

Reason for entering rehabilitation.:

Male Mississippi Kite (MIKI) was a late summer 2024 rehab pt due to a fractured ulna. He successfully completed PT/wing wrapping treatment with the ulna fracture being fully healed, but he missed the fall migration period. Accommodations were made for him to over-winter with another Rehab group from November 2024-May 2025. We retrieved him in May and gave him additional time for his feathers to repair. He was cleared by our Vet for release in August 2025, but he had a failed release shortly after. He can fly, but cannot achieve or sustain height. He also allowed us to retrieve him fairly easily by hand.

Days in care: 404

Issues developed while undergoing rehabilitation.:

The MIKI has been cleared by our Vet and should be able to be fully flighted, but is not able to achieve or sustain flight. He can fly 3-4ft off ground for approx. 30-40yds, but will then just perch on ground. When released, we were able to retrieve him without incident and by hand. He is not habituated nor imprinted. When in enclosure, he will fly away from volunteers.

Body condition score (5 point scale as defined on https://nagonline.net/3877/body-condition-scoring/): 4

Can the animal express species-typical behaviors (e.g. eat appropriate whole foods, climb, perch, groom, dig, fly, swim, ambulate normally for species)?:

He can eat normal variety of appropriate foods, climb, perch, groom etc. He is active in his enclosure, flies, perches, hunts.

Can the animal be handled without negative welfare affects?: yes

This is how the animal currently reacts when a frequent caregiver nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

He will fly from volunteers, sometimes will call. He does not show fear or stress. He is very active in his enclosure.

This is how the animal currently reacts when a stranger nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

Retreats, might call-

This animal is currently house : alone

Will the animal need continuous medical care (e.g. medication)?: no

Physical health welfare assessment: life worth living

Mental/emotional health welfare assessment: life worth living

More Information

The MIKI was cleared by our Vet for release in August 2025, but he had a failed release shortly after. He can fly, but can not achieve or sustain height. He also allowed us to retrieve him fairly easily by hand.
He is jessed although the posted photos were taken after his failed release and we had not gotten the jesses back on yet. He is a vocal, chatty bird. We do not feel he would be a good candidate for glove training at this time, at least with our small group of volunteers. He could possibly be glove trained with a dedicated training team. He definitely would be a delight as a static display bird. He would benefit from an outdoor space with ample flying space. He would need to have the availability for inside or heated/ protected accommodations due to being cold intolerant.
He has received a good bill of health from our Vet and is looking forward to permanent placement. More information available upon request-

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