Black Kite
Scientific Name: Milvus migrans
Physical Features: Black Kites are medium-sized raptors with dark brown to blackish-brown plumage. Their wings are long and slightly bent, giving them an easily recognizable silhouette in flight. The tail is notched, and the legs are yellow with sharp talons for grabbing prey. Their beaks are slightly hooked and yellow at the base. These birds have a wingspan of 150-160 cm and are often seen gliding effortlessly on thermals, covering large distances in search of food.
Habitat: Black Kites are highly adaptable birds found across diverse habitats such as urban areas, farmlands, forests, and wetlands. They are common in cities and towns across India, where they scavenge on food waste. Their wide distribution covers much of Asia, Africa, and Europe. They thrive near human habitation, feeding on garbage, carrion, and small animals.
Behavior: Black Kites are scavengers, often seen flying over cities, garbage dumps, or roadways, searching for food scraps and carrion. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat anything from small mammals, fish, and insects to human food waste. Though they are social birds and often gather in large numbers at feeding sites, they maintain individual territories during the breeding season. Their flight is graceful, and they can soar effortlessly for long periods while searching for food.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Unique Traits: Unlike many raptors, Black Kites are highly social and can often be seen in large groups. Their ability to adapt to urban life makes them one of the most common birds of prey in cities. They are opportunistic feeders and scavengers, which helps them thrive even in human-altered environments.
Vocalizations: Black Kites have a distinctive, high-pitched, whistling call, often heard in cities and towns. Their vocalizations, described as “wheee-ooo” or “kiii-iii,” are used for communication between mates, during flight, or to warn off potential threats near their nests.
Breeding and Reproduction: Black Kites typically breed during the warm months of the year, from March to August. They build nests out of sticks high in trees or on buildings. Females lay 2-4 eggs, which hatch after about 30-35 days. Both parents take part in feeding the chicks, which fledge at around 45-50 days. Black Kites often reuse nests for several years.
Ecological Importance: As scavengers, Black Kites play a crucial role in cleaning up the environment by feeding on dead animals and waste. This behavior helps reduce disease spread by consuming carrion and organic refuse. They also help control populations of rodents and insects by preying on small animals.