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Last weekend marked a joyous occasion for our Wildlife team as we celebrated the release of 13 Mississippi Kites back into the skies. These graceful birds were among the 212 Kites brought into our Wildlife Center over a month ago during Hurricane Beryl. We cared for over 1,800 native wild animals during this time, including mourning doves, herons, blue jays, mockingbirds, opossums, and more.
During the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, these Kites came into our care, wet, weak, and cold. Many of them were hatchlings that had been blown out of their nests by high winds and were struggling to get dry and warm. Within the Houston area, Mississippi Kites are most commonly found in wooded wetlands and often nest in colonies, even in city parks and golf courses.
Our trained veterinary and wildlife staff quickly assessed each bird’s health. Staff immediately prioritized their warmth and nutrition, knowing that the first few hours would be critical for their survival. The Kites remained under constant observation for the next couple of weeks, receiving the expert medical care necessary to regain their strength.
As the Kites recovered, they transitioned to our Outdoor Flight Complex, a large flight complex. Here, the Kites gain confidence in their ability to fly and interact with other Kites. For some of the Kites, this is their first time spreading their wings. As they practice flying, they build muscle and body mass and prepare to fly in the wild.
On August 9, nearly one month after their rescue, the first 13 Mississippi Kites were released at a park in Sugar Land. Our wildlife team chooses release locations based on the surrounding area’s suitability for the birds’ natural habitat and the presence of other Kites to help them reintegrate into the wild.
Over the next month, these recovered Mississippi Kites will make their migratory trip back to central South America for the winter. Since January 2024, we have cared for over 13,500 wild animals, and the recovery of these Mississippi Kites is a wonderful reminder of our goals: rescue, rehabilitate, and release.
The Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center operates solely on donations and must always be ready to respond to natural disasters like Hurricane Beryl and protect vulnerable and impacted wildlife. Please consider supporting one of the nation’s largest wildlife rehabilitation centers located at the Houston SPCA, where more than 14,000 wild animals in 2023 found care and hope.
