Bird Guide

Black-shouldered Kite vs Black-winged Kite

Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)

Black-shouldered Kite

Elanus axillaris

Medium270 gGrassland

The adult black-shouldered kite is around 35 cm (14 in) in length, with a wingspan of between 80 and 100 cm (31 and 39 in). The female is slightly heavier, weighing on average around 300 g (11 oz) compared to the male's average weight of 260 g (9.2 oz). The sexes have similar plumage. The crown, neck and upperparts are pale grey, while the head and underparts are white. A black comma-shaped marking lies in front of and stretches over and behind the eye, which is deep red and surrounded by a black orbital ring. The leading edge of the outer wing is black. Voice: The black-shouldered kite is generally silent, except in the breeding season when its calls, though weak, can be persistent. It primarily utters a clear whistled chee, chee, chee call in flight and while hovering, or a hoarse wheezing skree-ah when perched.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Frankzed from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY 2.0
Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)

Black-winged Kite

Elanus caeruleus

Medium260 gGrassland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Yi-fan翊凡 · CC0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-shouldered Kite and Black-winged Kite.