Is this a hawk?

[Ksane]

Is this a hawk? If so does anyone know what kind? I'm in Oklahoma if that matters.
It's sitting in the tree staring down at my baby chicks (who are thankfully fully covered all around).

 

[LAseramas KP]

looks like it one of many to come when they find your flock they never stop coming .... good luck

 

[zazouse]

Does it have a split tail?
if so i would say it is a swallow tailed kite

 

[Ksane]

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I can't tell, it's up in the tree and I don't have binoculars.
LASeramas, yea I was afraid it was. It just doesn't look like a .....friendly.....bird.

 

[centrarchid]

It is an adult Mississippi kite. Not a threat to poultry but will eat dragonflies and occasional small song birds, usually juveniles.

 

[Ksane]

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Oh good! He's so pretty

So I get to name him now, right? lol
Edit: I just looked him up and that's certainly what he is, thank you.

 

[Okie Amazon]

Yup, Kite. We have two pairs that nest on our place. You're only a few miles north of me; we've got butt-loads of them in our area. I laugh every year at the grumping that goes on in Nichols Hills (an "old money" area) because of the nesting kites dive bombing rich folks! I would worry a little about little baby chicks free-ranging, but they are no threat to your adult birds. They mainly eat insects; cicadas and the like, but will occasionally take something as big as a mouse.

 

[Bettylouplus4]

I would think it is a hawk. We have a ton of hawks in Ma. red tails that looks like just diferent breed

 

[Ksane]

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Haha! I'd laugh right along with you to see Nichols Hills folks being dive bombed lol My chicks are under a roofed pen secured with chicken wire all the way up and around so they should be fine.