Black-winged Kite
Elanus caeruleus
The Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) is a common kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 110 countries, weighing about 260 g. The black-winged kite, also known as the black-shouldered kite, is a small diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae best known for its habit of hovering over open grasslands in the manner of the much smaller kestrels.
About the Black-winged Kite
The black-winged kite, also known as the black-shouldered kite, is a small diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae best known for its habit of hovering over open grasslands in the manner of the much smaller kestrels. This Palearctic and Afrotropical species was sometimes combined with the Australian black-shouldered kite and the white-tailed kite of North and South America which together form a superspecies. This kite is distinctive, with long wings; white, grey and black plumage; and owl-like forward-facing eyes with red irises. The owl-like behaviour is even more pronounced in the letter-winged kite, a nocturnal relative in Australia. Although mainly seen on plains, they are…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This long-winged raptor is predominantly grey or white with black shoulder patches, wing tips and eye stripe. The 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 sexes are alike in plumage.
What the Black-winged Kite sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Mauritania, Estonia, Timor-Leste, Australia.
When to see it
The Black-winged Kite can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black-winged Kite?
- This long-winged raptor is predominantly grey or white with black shoulder patches, wing tips and eye stripe. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black-winged Kite?
- The Black-winged Kite is a medium sized bird weighing about 260 g.
- Where can you see a Black-winged Kite?
- The Black-winged Kite occurs in 110 countries, including South Africa, India, Taiwan, Portugal and Israel.
- What does a Black-winged Kite sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Black-winged Kite on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Black-winged Kite?
- The Black-winged Kite is most easily confused with the White-tailed Kite, the Black-shouldered Kite and the Letter-winged Kite.
- Is the Black-winged Kite endangered?
- The Black-winged Kite is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black-winged Kite for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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