52 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 73 



permanently flooded wetlands and riverine habitats. Occasional small 

 groups of migrants occur on semipermanently flooded wetlands during 

 spring migration. 



FAMILY CATHARTIDAE: American Vultures 



Turkey Vulture {Cathartes aura) 



Status: Regular migrant and probable nesting species. 



Migration: Fairly common migrant throughout the Valley, becoming 

 common at Crex Meadows during the fall. Spring migrants arrive during the 

 first week of April (earUest— 24 March 1963 and 1977, Pierce County). Peak 

 spring migration occurs between 20 April and 1 May and most depart by 

 15 May. Peak fall migration occurs 15-25 September; departure occurs by 

 15 October (latest— 23 November 1948 and 30 November 1950, Burnett 

 County). 



Nesting Season Distribution: Rare to uncommon summer resident through- 

 out the Valley, most regularly observed in the forested regions along the 

 upper St. Croix River. Roberts (1932) reported turkey vultures nesting 

 "along the St. Croix River"; however, he provided no dates or locations. 

 Turkey vultures are regularly observed during the summer between Pres- 

 cott and StiUwater. This area of extensively wooded bluffs provides excel- 

 lent breeding habitat for vultures. Although young are observed during late 

 July, no nests have been found. 



Habitat: Habitat used by turkey vulture during the nesting season consists 

 of Southern Deciduous Forest occurring on bluffs along the St. Croix River. 



FAMILY ACCIPITRIDAE: Hawks and Harriers 



Swallow-tailed Kite {Elanoides forficatus) 

 Status: Accidental, one record. 



Record: One bird was found dead along Highway 95 near Marine-on-St. 

 Croix, Washington County, on 29 April 1966. The specimen is now in the col- 

 lection of the Minnesota Museum of Natural History (#23152). 



Mississippi Kite [Ictinia mississippiensis) 

 Status: Accidental, one record. 



Record: A single bird was observed at Crex Meadows, Burnett County, on 

 27 May 1976 (Hofslund and Niemi 1977). 



