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The black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus), also known as the black-shouldered kite (not to be confused with the closely related Australian species with the same name), 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 Eurasian and African species was sometimes combined with the Australian black-shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris) and the white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus) 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 (Elanus scriptus), a nocturnal relative in Australia. Although mainly seen on plains, they are sometimes seen on grassy slopes of hills in the higher elevation regions of Asia. They are not migratory, but show nomadism in response to weather and food availability. They are well adapted to utilize periodic upsurges in rodent populations and can raise multiple broods in a single year unlike most birds of prey. Populations in southern Europe have grown in response to human activities, particularly agriculture and livestock rearing.
Scientific Name : Elanus Caeruleus
Family : Accipitridae
Order : Accipitriformes
Class : Aves
Type : Hawks, Kites And Eagles
Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)
Size : 33 cm
Compare Size : Crow -
Wingspan : 80 - 100 cm
Weight : 260 g
Migratory : Resident
Sex Alike : Yes
Nesting Season : All Year
Other Names :
English : Black-Shouldered Kite
Hindi : कपासी
Marathi : कापशी घार
Habitat:
Well wooded country and cultivation, Grasslands
Breeding:
Eggs - 3 or 4, Yellowish white, Densely blotched with brownish-red.
Feeding:
Locusts, Crickets, Mice, Lizards, Small ground birds, Large insects
| Male & Female | |
|---|---|
| Head | white |
| Breast | white |
| Eyes | ruby-red with black patch surrounding it |
| Crown | grey |
| Nape | grey |
| Upperparts | grey |
| Wing | black patch on upper edge of wings |
| Juvenile | |
|---|---|
| Crown | dusky with streaks |
| Head | yellowish-brown |
| Breast | yellowish-brown |
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 04 Nov 2018 | Shiravali Gaon, Raigad, Maharashtra |
