The Mississippi Kite generally locates its nest high in deciduous trees near the edge of the woodland. Nests in the Great Plains have been found in several species of trees, with no particular preference, though cottonwood, elm, osage orange, and black locust account for 80 percent. Conifers are seldom used. Nests are located from 2.18 to 49.2 yards (2 to 47 meters) in height. Shelter belt nests are often at 6.5 to 11 yards (6 to 10.2 meters) and those in mesquite and oak savanna are generally at 3.2 to 5.4 yards (3 to 5 meters). Nest building is often quite leisurely but when they need to, pairs can build rapidly. Both sexes aid in construction. Most nests are located in crotches with three to four supporting limbs. Average dimensions of plains nests are 10.6 x 9.4 inches (27 to 24 centimeters) and 5.1 inches (13 centimeters) in depth. Nests often appear flimsy. The nest bowl is shallow and lined with green leaves. Both old kite nests and the nests of other species are used for nesting. Nest site tenacity is marked from year to year. Nests are generally used for two to three years. Rarely is a nest used longer. Occasionally other species like Mourning Doves and House Sparrows, as well as wasps, will share the same nest tree with kites.
Clutch sizes average two eggs, with one to three possible. For reasons that are not clear, about half the nesting pairs end up incubating only one egg. The egg is about 1.6 inches (41 millimeters) long and 1.3 inches (33.6 millimeters) wide. It is between elliptical and short subelliptical shape and is smooth without gloss. It is white. Both sexes incubate. Incubation lasts 29 to 31 days. Both parents forage for, carry food to, brood, and attend to the nestlings and grow increasingly defensive around the nest tree as the young grow. Very young nestlings are fed regurgitated, crushed insects until about day 11. Nestlings can stand well by three weeks of age and begin moving onto neighboring branches by about four weeks. First flight occurs at 34 days or earlier. Young are fed by their parents until at least 60 days of age. Feeding can take place both at the perch and on the wing. Mississippi Kites are single brooded and lay replacement clutches only after the loss of the nest's single egg or a single egg plus a nest early in the season. Yearling kites sometimes assist adult parents at the nest by sharing in incubation, brooding and nest defense.
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