Hawks and eagles
Black Kite
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Milvus migrans
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Voice
Song
Jairam Vijayan
Call
Joost van Bruggen
Alarm
Sonothèque ADVL
How to recognize it
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44–66 cm, wingspan 120–153 cm
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Dark brown overall, no rufous tones
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Long angled wings, shallowly forked tail
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Soars in thermals and turns easily, call "ki-ki-ki"
About the species
The Black Kite looks calm and effortless in the air, and it is often noticed first by its silhouette and call rather than up close. It spends a lot of time gliding and riding warm air with easy, steady movements.
It is an adaptable feeder and takes whatever is available, from live prey to carrion and food scraps. Its voice is sharp and whinnying, easy to remember once you hear it.
It uses wooded places, especially near water, and also fits in well around towns and cities. In temperate areas it tends to move south for winter, while in warmer regions it stays year-round.
Where to find
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Along canal banks, pond edges, and big river fronts — especially where reed beds meet open water, Black Kite often glides low while scanning for fish and scraps.
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In mature city parks with tall poplars or lindens — look for a dark raptor landing on a bare branch and calling loudly from the canopy.
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Over bridges, embankments, and open waste ground near water — easy to notice soaring on thermals, then dropping steeply toward the ground.
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On the city outskirts by fields and field edges in spring or late summer — watch for slow low flight over grass, or perching on wires while hunting for rodents.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Milvus migrans Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Black kite Encyclopedia article