Observations of Termite Insectivory by Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis) at a Nuptial Emergence in Louisiana, USA

Abstract

The Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) is a fairly small raptor (body mass 1⁄4 216–341 g, with females larger than males) with a varied diet consisting of medium-sized and large insects, anurans, and small reptiles, birds, and mammals, including bats (Sherrod 1978, Parker and Palmer 1988, Bader and Bednarz 2011, Parker 2020). Although vertebrates are a significant component of the diet of some individuals and populations, insects are numerically the most important prey of Mississippi Kites (Bader and Bednarz 2011, Chiavacci et al. 2014, Parker 2020). Mississippi Kites are agile fliers able to take insects, birds, and bats on the wing, and they frequently congregate in large feeding aggregations where these prey are abundant (Bent 1937, Sutton 1939, Skinner 1962, Turcotte and Watts 1999). We here report novel observations of a group of Mississippi Kites feeding on termites (Isoptera) during a nuptial emergence in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, USA. Termite alates (winged, reproductive adults of both sexes) exit colonies en masse during synchronized nuptial flights that occur seasonally, usually after nightfall, and often following rains (Dial and Vaughan 1987, Pearce 1997). Alates are slow, cumbersome flyers and nuptial flights often attract large numbers of mammalian and avian predators, including raptors that prey on the emerging termites (Dial and Vaughan 1987, Bussiere and Wijers 2013, Platt et al. 2021). Our observations were made at Webb Park Golf Course and the adjacent Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School on College Drive (30825.417N, 91808.017W) from 1830–1920 H on 15 May 2020. Mississippi Kites are common in the surrounding, well-wooded urban landscape and have nested on the golf course (S. Platt unpubl. data). Our observations began at 1830 H when, from a distance we noted a group of 6–7 Mississippi Kites soaring just above the treetops (altitude approximately 20–30 m) at the school. The kites appeared to be catching flying insects during repeated passes over the school. Upon entering the schoolyard, we found swarming alate termites spilling forth from an opening at the base of a large, partially hollow sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and flying upward in a loosely dispersed plume. In the manner previously described for taking insect prey (Skinner 1962, Glinski and Ohmart 1983), the kites employed their feet to capture alates, often rapidly changing course to intercept an approaching termite. In several instances kites appeared to consume captured termites while in flight, although we could not be certain given our distance from the birds and small size of the alates. Likewise, our attempts to assess individual foraging success were foiled by distance and our inability to track the quick, agile aerial maneuvers of the kites. Determining hunting success of kites even at relatively close range is challenging (Fitch 1963). Also present were two or three Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) and a single Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus). The Chimney Swifts made repeated passes through the alate plume, although we were unable to determine if the birds were actually capturing termites. We observed the Eastern Kingbird pursuing and capturing alates on the wing. We observed no interactions between the Eastern Kingbird, Chimney Swifts, and Mississippi Kites. Both Chimney Swifts and Eastern Kingbirds have previously been reported to prey on alate termites during nuptial emergences (Blake 1941). Although the termite emergence continued uninterrupted until dusk (sunset at 1952 H) and perhaps beyond, the kites abruptly stopped feeding 1 Email address: trrainwater@gmail.com