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Black Kite


Black Kite
Photo Information
Copyright: Kim van Heuven (krvanheuven) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 0 N: 119] (622)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-28
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L USM
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Prey- RAPTORS [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-02-25 15:44
Viewed: 1411
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Description

The Black Kite is a medium-sized (47 to 55 cm) bird of prey (raptor). From a distance, it appears almost black, with a light brown bar on the shoulder. The plumage is actually dark brown, with scattered light brown and rufous markings, particularly on the head, neck and underparts. The tail is forked and barred with darker brown. This feature gives the bird its alternative name of Fork-tailed Kite. The eye is dark brown and the bill is black with a yellow cere (area of skin around the nostrils). The call is a descending whistle "psee-err" followed by a staccato "si-si-si-si-si". Both sexes are similar.

Young Black Kites are generally lighter in colour than the adults, and have a comparatively shallower forked tail. The Black Kite's plumage is somewhat simliar to other raptors, such as the Little Eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides, Whistling Kite, Haliastur sphenurus, and Square-tailed Kite, Lophoictinia isura. In flight, however, its long forked tail and almost unmarked underwing make it unmistakable.

Distribution and Habitat

The Black Kite is found in a variety of habitats, from timbered watercourses to open plains, and is often observed in and around outback towns. Its range covers the majority of the Australian mainland, as well as Africa, Asia and Europe. Although it is more normally seen in small groups, the Black Kite may form huge flocks of many thousands of birds, especially during grasshopper plagues. No other Australian bird of prey is seen in such large flocks.

The Black Kite is arguably the most numerous species of raptor in the world.

Food and feeding

The Black Kite preys on lizards, small mammals and insects, especially grasshoppers. It also is a scavenger, and frequents tips in outback towns. Black Kites also gather in flocks around bush fires, and eagerly pounce on small animals as these flee the flames. Both live and dead (carrion) prey is eaten.

Breeding

Black Kites breed at any time of year, but usually between August and November. They nest in isolated pairs or in small, scattered colonies. As with other raptors, a ritualised aerial courtship display is performed by both sexes. This involves loud calling, grappling of feet (talons), and tumbling or cartwheeling. The nest is a bulky cup of sticks, lined with softer material, and is placed in the fork of a tree branch (generally close to the trunk). The female incubates the one to three eggs while the male provides food. The young birds hatch after about a month and leave the nest (fledge) after a further 40 days.
marhowie, PDP, coasties, gelor, Zeno, SelenE, Raptorman has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1494 W: 0 N: 1175] (6494)
  • [2006-02-25 16:07]

Wow, fantastic action shot, Kim!
Very sharp image, incredible details,
great colours and nice framing.
Thanks for sharing!

Hello Kim,
Wow, great capture! Very nicely composed in the vertical frame. Excellent light, color, detail, sharpness and POV. The meat in the beak is a nice touch also. Very well done.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2006-02-25 19:43]

Hello Kim, excellent shot. Lovely in-flight action and the food in the beak is a real bonus. Very well done on this.

Salut Kim
Félicitaton pour cette belle photo j'aimerais cela avoir un sujet qui voudrait cooperer avec moi pour se faire prendre en vol. Je n'ai pas réussi encore a en avoir une VRAIMENT BONNE COMME LES TIENNES .
Bravo et bon week end...JP

Nice shot. Perfectly framed. Great lighting and detail. Really amazing shot!

Hi Kim

Good POV. Nice colours. Well composed. Stands out well against the BG. Well done. Thanks.

Lovely inflight shot of this beautiful bird.Well done.
Andrew.

  • Great 
  • gelor Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 126 W: 3 N: 12] (523)
  • [2006-02-26 8:41]

Bonjour Kim,
Une très belle image de cet oiseau avec une netteté incroyable et un bel hommage à ce prédateur. Bravo et merci.
Gérard

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2006-02-26 13:56]

prachtige capture Kim,
schitterend genomen in vlucht, goede compositie, goede pov, prachtige details en kleuren, heel goed werk.
gr. jaap

Hi, Kim.
this is a great picture, maybe little to tight ut thats a minor nit. Very good details, nice colours and POV.
Pity that the leftwing is in shadow. The prey in the beak is a good bonus.
Great work.

  • Great 
  • klemmg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 40 N: 484] (1719)
  • [2006-03-01 17:20]

Great in-flight, action well frozen with great detail and sharpness.
Regards,
Gabi

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 451 W: 0 N: 975] (8383)
  • [2006-04-17 16:31]

Ha Kim,

Mooie actiefoto. Het perspectief is erg origineel en de details zijn scherp.
De kite doet het goed tegen die licht blauwe achtergrond.

groet,

Zeno.

amazing pic, whats in its mouth ? Ori

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2007-02-20 7:18]

Hi Kim,
Great capture. Bravo and TFS
Selen

Hello Kim , very sharp photo of this elegant raptor , is this a marked or ringed bird ?

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