Recently, an article suggested that black kites have nesting habitats at a tower structure in Chennai.
Black Kite – It is a bird of prey and a migratory bird extends to an extremely large range of habitats.
Scientific Name – Milvus migrans.
It is often called Fork-Tailed Kites.
Habitat – Close access to water bodies such as rivers, ponds, lakes, and wetlands, woodlands, grassland and open savannas.
Distribution – Tropical portions of Australasia, Eurasia, and Africa.
Morphology – Medium-sized raptors, dorsal, ventral and tail color is brown with darker brown striped feathers within.
It has small, bead-like dark brown eyes and a large black, hook-shaped beak, long black talons and pale-yellow legs.
Sexual dimorphism
Female – It has a slightly larger body size than males, though they feature similar coloration.
Characteristic – It typically lives in social groups.
It migrates from Europe and northern Asia wintering in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia.
It has well developed intraspecific communication and very loud vocalizing.
Diet – An extremely versatile feeder, it takes carrion, birds, mammals, fish, lizards, amphibians, invertebrates and forage on vegetable matter such as palm oil fruits.
Threats – Poisoning
Shooting
Electrocution by power lines
Pollution of water by pesticides and other chemicals
Vulnerable to the effects of wind energy development.
