Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Black Kite
Scientific Name:
Milvus migrans
Length:
48-58cm
Wingspan (mm):
130-155cm Description
Black Kite has a more concise shape than a Red Kite and is a darker brown, lacking the red colours and white wing panels. It is more likely to be mistaken for a female Marsh Harrier but has more angular wings which it holds level or at a slightly drooping angle. The tail of a Black Kite looks obviously pointed at its corners and the upperwing has distinctive pale panels across the coverts.
Distribution
A vagrant to the British Isles seen mainly in the Spring and Summer. Can be a very difficult species to see in Britain, as most sightings relate to birds flying over.
Habitat
Black Kite is a summer visitor to wooded valleys, feeding on rubbish dumps, watersides and farmland .
Reproduction
Laying 2-3, dull white with variable red-brown spotting, laid in April to July. Incubation takes 26-38 days. Young fledge after around 42 days. 1 brood per year.