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The black kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors. It is thought to be the world's most abundant species of Accipitridae, although some populations have experienced dramatic declines or fluctuations. Current global population estimates run up to 6 million individuals. Unlike others of the group, black kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make them easy to identify. They are also vociferous with a shrill whinnying call. This kite is widely distributed through the temperate and tropical parts of Eurasia and parts of Australasia and Oceania, with the temperate region populations tending to be migratory. Several subspecies are recognized and formerly had their own English names. The European populations are small, but the South Asian population is very large.
Scientific Name : Milvus Migrans
Family : Accipitridae
Order : Accipitriformes
Class : Aves
Type : Hawks, Kites And Eagles
Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)
Size : 47 - 60 cm
Compare Size : Vulture -
Wingspan : 150 cm
Weight : 730 g
Migratory : Resident
Sex Alike : Yes
Nesting Season : Begins in winter (mainly January and February)
Other Names :
English : Pariah Kite
Hindi : काली चील, चील
Marathi : घार, घोण
Juvenile
| Male & Female | |
|---|---|
| Tail | forked |
| Upperparts | dark brown |
| Head | paler than upper parts |
| Neck | paler than upper parts |
| Wing | outer flight feathers are black and the feathers have dark cross bars and are mottled at the base |
| Underparts | pale brown, becoming lighter towards the chin |
| Gape | yellow |
| Cere | yellow |
| Bill | black |
| Legs | yellow |
| toes | yellow with black claws |
| Note : Females are longer than male |
|
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 12 Jan 2019 | Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 08 Dec 2018 | Harihareshwar Beach, Raigad, Maharashtra |
