Mississippi Kite locations in Ar

Mississippi Kite locations in Arizona

Ictinia mississippiensis

Mississippi Kites, when you look at a range map, don't look like they should be in Arizona at all! That's one of the joys of birding in southeastern Arizona. There are very few, but they are very easy to find because of how localized their distribution is. They are found at the confluence of the San Pedro River into the Gila river, in Winkleman, Arizona in the summer. We've found that the best spot for them is around the park just off the bridge over the Gila river just off of route 77 north of the Aravaipa Canyon exit. The golf courses west of the bridge also serve as great hunting grounds for these graceful, unlikely birds. This park also turns out to be a wonderful place for Zone-Tailed Hawks and for getting pulled over for going 17 mph [way too fast, according to the local sheriff].