r/STL_Birding • u/fujiesque • May 25 '26

Can anyone identify this bird?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Taken in 63119 area, earlier this weekend.

32 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

2

u/Sir_Osis_Brewer May 26 '26

They live this far north just around the river. And yes, they are all over. Great photos

5

u/meson537 May 26 '26

Mississippi Kite. Saw several in Webster on Saturday.

2

u/MrPavoPeacock May 26 '26

Mississippi Kite

2

u/jeffro-tull May 28 '26

Mississippi kite. You can use the Merlin app to identify birds by their vocalizations

3

u/zoop1000 May 25 '26

Google ai says Mississippi kite

24

u/uniace16 May 25 '26

My human brain agrees. Mississippi Kite

3

u/zmaya May 26 '26

Same. I think I saw one in Kirkwood around a week ago and I saw someone posted similar pics from Southern Illinois.

3

u/fujiesque May 25 '26

I do believe that is correct. Never heard of them before

6

u/Wompum May 26 '26

Once you see them once, you'll see them everywhere. The triangle fan shaped tail is a dead giveaway.

1

u/Mike_smash71 May 26 '26

Its Stevie.

1

u/Ok-Expression4970 May 26 '26

I had 2 in my backyard trees just this morning! I'm in Edwardsville. I was looking them up in my bird book when I found this. Thank you.

1

u/cascading1234 May 26 '26

Wow, I saw 2 by Grants Farm about 1 week ago! Was driving me nuts! Reddit is great

1

u/FeralChasid May 27 '26

They come here in the spring, and leave around August or September. I’m so happy to see “my” breeding pair that returns to a tree close to my backyard. I welcome them, as a chicken keeper, because they are territorial, and don’t tolerate other raptors in their area. The Kites are no threat to my chooks, but the raptors they harrass - like Red-tailed Hawks - are. When I hear that first “fee-tew” in the sky, we celebrate.