| Black Kite | |
|---|---|
 a Black Kite flying in backlight. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Milvus |
| Species: | Milvus migrans |
The Black Kite (Milvus migrans) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is closely related to the Red Kite.
Description[]
The Black Kite is as big as a Common Buzzard, but the wings and tail are longer and more narrow. Its tail is forked, but not as much as that of the Red Kite. The plumage is brown, darker on head and tail. Talons and beak are weak, as this kite is often a scavenger.
Behavior[]
The Black Kite is a migratory bird. It lives in Eurasian temperate/warm areas. It eats mainly small rodents, fish, carrion, reptiles, insects and trash. It rarely hunts birds. It is often seen in flocks, especially on migration. Its migration is longer than the red kite's. The nest is built on tall, old trees, and is made of twigs.
Black Kite distribution map.
The female lays two or three white eggs mottled with orange in it. The hatching period takes place in June and lasts thirty days. The fledgling learn to fly when they are 40-45 days old.