![]() ![]() However, they do have a single serious predator: the Eurasian eagle-owl. As a large raptorial bird, the Black kite has few natural predators. They are also a major nuisance at some airports, where their size makes them a significant birdstrike hazard. Their habit of swooping to pick up dead rodents or other roadkill leads to collisions with vehicles. These birds also often perch on electric wires and are frequent victims of electrocution. The main threats to Black kites include poisoning, shooting, and the pollution of water by chemicals. Black kites are able to breed after their second year. After 50 days, they begin to move to branches next to the nest. The nestlings are able to stand on their legs after 17-19 days and begin flapping their wings after 27-31 days. Body feathers begin to appear after 18 to 22 days. Newly hatched chicks have a sepia down on the back and black around the eye and buff on the head, neck, and underparts. The incubation period varies from 30-34 days. The typical clutch size is 2 or sometimes 3 eggs. Both the male and female take part in nest building, incubation, and care of chicks. They are made from sticks and twigs and may sometimes be decorated with bright materials such as white plastic. The nests are built on tree branches, cliff ledges, or buildings and may be reused in subsequent years. Black kites nest singly or in loose groups. In India, it begins in winter (mainly January and February), while European birds breed in summer. The time of breeding varies with location. In order to construct a nest, the kite will break off small branches, and twigs from nearby vegetation or shrubs with its beak and weave them together into a cup shape. These raptors usually lay two to three eggs each year and both parents share responsibility for incubating it and raising the chick after hatching.Black kites are monogamous and form strong pair bonds that may last for life. Nesting Habits: Nests are often constructed near a tree or other tall structure such as a rooftop, or utility pole from which they can perch to scan for prey.Conservation Status: Listed Least Concern (Population is stable).Diet: Insects such as locusts, grasshoppers, cicadas, beetles, fish, lizards, frogs, lizards, snakes, rabbits, squirrels, mice, voles, rats, birds or carrion (dead animals).Habitat: Heathland, marshland, moorland, plains, coastal areas, and even mountainsides.Migration: Kites are migratory birds that migrate to sub-Saharan Africa during winter months, usually staying near coastal areas or mountain ranges where food is abundant year round.Range: The species breeds across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia northern South America Southern Europe (except for Greece) north-west India Sri Lanka Madagascar continental Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.They also have yellow legs, and long black talons. It has a black hooked beak with a yellow cere, and gape. Its back and outermost flight feathers, are black with some white barring/patterning. Identification: The Black Kite has a dark brown plumage throughout with lighter shading on the head, face, neck, breast and belly regions.2.26 The Black Kites eyesight is 4x stronger than humans.2.25 Black Kites can dive at a speed of nearly 100 mph.2.24 Black kites are the most widely distributed raptors in the world.2.23 French sailors who kept them as pets on long sea voyages.2.22 It uses its long tail to assist with maneuverability.2.21 Black Kites will migrate when food sources are low.2.20 The Black Kite has a wide range of vocalizations. ![]() 2.18 The biggest populations can be found in Southern Asia. ![]()
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