Black Kite

Milvus migrans

Genus · Milvus Kites Family · Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Migration watchpointsOpen waterUrban

Look for the shallow fork in the tail. Compared to the Red Kite, the Black Kite is darker, slightly smaller, and has less white on the underwing.

Black Kite

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan135–155 cm
Weight600–1000 g
Length48–60 cm
Lifespan wild12–24 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typePlatform
Clutch size2–3 eggs
Incubation30–34 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Carnivore

🐸Amphibians
🦴Carrion
🐟Fish
🦗Insects
🐭Mammals

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌳 Forest deciduous🛶 Lake wetlands🏞️ River🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Black Kites often decorate their nests with colorful human-made objects such as plastic and cloth. Researchers believe these items may help signal that the territory is occupied.

About

An opportunistic raptor and one of the most successful birds of prey in the world. It is easily identified by its slightly forked tail and graceful, buoyant flight. A summer visitor to much of Europe, it is frequently found near water, wetlands, and agricultural land, where it acts as a highly efficient scavenger.

Behaviour

Black Kites are incredibly agile fliers. They use a slightly forked tail as a rudder to change direction constantly. They are gregarious and gather in large numbers at high-quality food sources. They are bold scavengers. They frequently steal food from other birds or even humans. Their call is a thin, wavering whinny.

Similar species

Red Kite
🐦
Red Kite
Milvus milvus
Common Buzzard
🐦
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
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