Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Island Of Madagascar
Off The East Coast Of Africa
Berenty Reserve
I looked up this bird using 'Wildlife of Madagascar' by Ken Behrens and Keith Barnes. They lumped the black kite and yellow-billed kite together as one. Because of this, I am calling this bird a black kite.
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.
The flight is buoyant and the bird glides with ease, changing directions easily. They will swoop down with their legs lowered to snatch small live prey, fish, household refuse and carrion, for which behavior they are known in British military slang as the shite-hawk.
They have been known to take birds, bats, and rodents. They are attracted to smoke and fires, where they seek escape prey. Large numbers may be seen soaring in thermals over cities. In some places, they will readily swoop, and snatch food held by humans. Predation of nests of other pairs of black kites has also been noted. Kites have also been seen to tear and carry away the nests of baya weavers to obtain eggs or chicks.
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Island Of Madagascar
Off The East Coast Of Africa
Berenty Reserve
I looked up this bird using 'Wildlife of Madagascar' by Ken Behrens and Keith Barnes. They lumped the black kite and yellow-billed kite together as one. Because of this, I am calling this bird a black kite.
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.
The flight is buoyant and the bird glides with ease, changing directions easily. They will swoop down with their legs lowered to snatch small live prey, fish, household refuse and carrion, for which behavior they are known in British military slang as the shite-hawk.
They have been known to take birds, bats, and rodents. They are attracted to smoke and fires, where they seek escape prey. Large numbers may be seen soaring in thermals over cities. In some places, they will readily swoop, and snatch food held by humans. Predation of nests of other pairs of black kites has also been noted. Kites have also been seen to tear and carry away the nests of baya weavers to obtain eggs or chicks.