Black-shouldered kite
The Black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus) is a long-winged raptor best known for its habit of hovering over open grasslands in the manner of the much smaller kestrels. Black-winged kites are well adapted to utilize periodic upsurges in rodent populations and can raise multiple broods in a single year, unlike most birds of prey.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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NomadicNomadic animals regularly move to and from the same areas within a well-defined range. Most animals travel in groups in search of better territorie...
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Soaring birdsSoaring birds can maintain flight without wing flapping, using rising air currents. Many gliding birds are able to "lock" their extended wings by m...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Black-winged kite is predominantly grey or white with black shoulder patches, wing tips, and eye stripe. Its long falcon-like wings extend beyond the tail when the bird is perched. In flight, the short and square tail is visible and it is not forked as in the typical kites of the genus Milvus. When perched, often on roadside wires, it often adjusts its wings and jerks its tail up and down as if to balance itself. The male and the female look similar. Their large forward-facing eyes placed under a bony shelf that shades them is distinctive; their velvety plumage and zygodactyl feet are characters shared with owls and the genus has been considered as a basal group within the Accipitridae. The inner vanes of the feathers have velvety barbules.
Black-winged kites are found in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia, but they also have a foothold within Europe in Spain and Portugal. Their range expands in southern Europe and possibly in West Asia. Black-winged kites are not migratory, but perform movements in response to weather and food availability. They are said to be winter visitors in some parts of their range such as the Western Ghats. Black-winged kites are primarily birds of open land and semi-deserts. They are mainly seen on plains, and steppes and sometimes occur on grassy slopes of hills in the higher elevation regions of Asia.
Black-winged kites are diurnal birds. They are usually seen singly or in pairs but at night they roost communally with groups of 15 to 35 (larger numbers in Europe) converging at a large leafy tree. They usually hunt flying slowly like harriers, but they will also hover like kestrels. On rare occasions, they can hunt prey in flight. Perches are used for hunting and for feeding but large prey may sometimes be handled on the ground. In southern Africa, they favor roadside verges for foraging. Black-winged kites are extremely silent and the calls recorded include a high-pitched squeal or a soft whistle. They call mainly during the breeding season and at the roost site.
Black-winged kites are carnivores. They eat grasshoppers, crickets, and other large insects, lizards, and rodents. They also hunt injured birds, small snakes, and frogs.
Black-winged kites are monogamous and form pairs. During the breeding season, they become very aggressive and strongly attack intruders. Black-winged kites breed at different times of the year across their range. Although these birds nest throughout the year in India, they appear not to breed in April and May. Males establish territories and defend them from competition. Females move into the territories of males. Courtship is noisy and involves chases. The nest is a loose platform of twigs in which 3 or 4 eggs are laid. The female spends more effort in the construction of the nest than the male. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 25-28 days but when the chicks hatch, the male spends more time hunting. Females initially feed the young, sometimes hunting close to the nest but will also receive food from the male. After fledging the young birds continue to be dependent for food on the male parent for about 80 days. Young birds have reddish-brown feathers on the upperparts and on the breast. The reddish color is derived from porphyrins and is thought to provide the chicks some camouflage. Once breeding is complete females often move on to new territories sometimes deserting before the chicks fledge, leaving males to feed and raise the young. Both males and females show considerable nomadism. Unlike most birds of prey, Black-winged kites can raise multiple broods in a year.
There are no major threats to Black-winged kites at present.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Black-winged kite is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. The European population is estimated at 1,100-2,600 pairs, which equates to 2,200-5,300 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
The soft feathers of Black-winged kites can lead to adherence with some grass seeds which may be dispersed by the species. However such seeds can also pose the risk of entangling their wings.
