Home › Aves › Accipitridae › Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
SPECIES PROFILE
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Milvus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent Europe Africa
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Urban areas open fields near water
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Accipitriformes
FAMILY
Accipitridae
GENUS
Milvus
📋 Description
SIZE
55-60 cm long 600-1000 g
COLORATION
Brown with darker streaks forked tail pale head
ADAPTATIONS
Strong wings for soaring scavenges in groups
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Urban areas open fields near water
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent Europe Africa
REPRODUCTION
Lays 2-3 eggs in tree nests incubated 30-34 days
DIET DETAILS
Carrion small vertebrates insects garbage
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Human conflict pollution
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Urban Soarers: Black Kites glide with 800-gram bodies eating 200 grams of carrion daily over Delhi's skies. Their forked tails are distinctive.
2
Scavenger Squads: These kites cover 5000 sq km in Mumbai's urban areas nesting in tall trees. Pollution affects their food sources.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Delhi
Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai Maharashtra
Jamnagar in Gujarat
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Observe black kites soaring high above urban areas
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Year-round Urban presence ensures visibility for spotting kites
