Black Kite

Overview

The black kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, recognised as the world's most abundant species in that family. As an opportunistic hunter and scavenger, it plays a significant ecological role, though some populations have experienced dramatic declines or fluctuations.

Identification

• Upper plumage is brown, generally darker than the rufous-hued red kite, with paler head and neck and a dark patch behind the eye.
• Distinctive forked tail and angled wings visible in flight, combined with a buoyant gliding style.
• Yellow cere and gape with a black bill; yellow legs and black claws.
• Vocalisations include a distinctive shrill whistle followed by a rapid whinnying call.

Habitat

Widely distributed through temperate and tropical parts of Eurasia, as well as parts of Australasia and Oceania, but notably absent from the Indonesian archipelago. Temperate populations are migratory, moving to warmer regions in winter, while tropical populations tend to be resident. Indian populations show a strong adaptation to urban environments, thriving in densely populated city areas.

Diet

As an opportunistic hunter, the black kite feeds on small live prey such as rodents, bats, and birds, as well as fish, carrion, and household refuse. They spend much of their time gliding on thermals to locate food and swoop down with legs lowered to snatch items. In northern Australia, they have been observed spreading wildfires by dropping burning twigs to flush prey, earning them the nickname 'firehawks'.

Did you know?

In northern Australia, black kites are known to deliberately spread wildfires by picking up and dropping burning twigs to flush out prey, a behaviour that has led to them being nicknamed 'firehawks' in some circles.