Black kites have well developed intraspecific communication, vocalizing very loudly and often with other black kites. Their screech starts out as a long drawn "kleee-errr" sound, then transitions into a sharper "keee-keee-keee" call. They communicate using high pitches for a variety of different situations, such as breeding, at roosting sites, or even during group hunting. Black kites use these calls during pre- and post-breeding to communicate with mates. The calls of black kites are similar to those of red kites (Milvus milvus). Black kites even appear to be able to communicate with red kites in captivity. Sight is well-developed, allowing them to see prey at great distances.
During the breeding season, pairs will occasionally engage in physical displays of talon locking where the two birds grasp talons and spiral to the ground from great heights.
Like most birds, black kites perceive their environments through visual, auditory, tactile and chemical stimuli.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources' (IUCN) Red List, Milvus migrans is given the conservation status of "Least Concern," showing no near possible threats to the species. This is due to the fact that the species covers many different areas and has such a large population within the areas. Though some populations are declining in numbers, the numbers are not significant to decrease the population as a whole. Causes of local population declines include water pollution, agricultural pesticides and associated runoff, hunting by humans, and carcass poisoning.
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
There are no known adverse effects of Milvus migrans on humans.
Although there are no known benefits of black kites to humans, red kites, their closest known relative, consume many crop-destroying pests. In addition, they scavenge road-kill, which potentially may help to reduce the spread of disease.
Positive Impacts: controls pest population
Black kites play an essential role as efficient scavengers within their ecosystems. A variety of external parasites are found on black kites, as well as several species of endoparasitic trematodes such as Opisthorchis cheelis and some parasitic flatworms like Holostephanus metorchis. These are typically ingested during the consumption of fish.
Ecosystem Impact: biodegradation
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
Black kites have broad, carnivorous diets and feed on many different animal species. They are considered insectivores, piscivores, and scavengers. Black kites will hunt for food, but more often act as scavengers. They will steal eggs from other kites for food and scavenge dead carcasses left behind from other animals. Black kites also are known to hover over fires to catch insects. Their diet also includes a variety of fish, reptiles, amphibians and other small mammals and birds.
Black kites will catch and eat their prey by using their sharp talons to dig into and pull apart the prey both in aerial and ground attacks. They also often rely on the thermal air currents to aid in their attempt to locate food.
Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; fish; eggs; carrion ; insects
Primary Diet: carnivore (Scavenger )
Black kites (Milvus migrans) occur in tropical portions of Australasia, Eurasia, and Africa. However, they are lacking in the Indonesian Archipelago, specifically in areas between the Wallace line and the mainland of Southeast Asia. Black kites also occur in temperate areas, including Palearctic, Oriental, Ethiopian, and Australian regions. However, year-round, they reside mainly in the southern-most areas of tropical Oriental and Ethiopian regions. Their abundance in these areas has been associated with the abundance of resources. There are no known regions in which this species has been introduced.
Their Palearctic range, spanning from the west coast of Central Europe to the east coast of Asia, is occupied only during early summer (late March to early May) and is mainly for breeding. The Australian region is used only during winters (December through February). Black kites migrate depending on the availability of roosting sites and resources.
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native ); oriental (Native ); ethiopian (Native ); australian (Native )
Black kites inhabit a broad range of habitats. Most are found in open areas where there is close access to water bodies such as rivers, ponds, or lakes. Black kites are commonly found along river edges, which provide necessary resources such as fresh water and fish. Wetlands are another habitat that attracts black kites. Black kites also occur in woodlands, open savannas, and sometimes even in large cities. It has been suggested that they reside in African and Asian cities because there is high prey abundance, such as roadkill or rats.
Most black kites migrate to Africa during the winter, settling near the southern Sahara region. Black kites are rarely seen in natural desert habitats or high elevation mountainous areas. In addition, although black kites are attracted to various woodland habitats, they rarely inhabit dense forests.
Black kite nests tend to be located 8 to 15 m above ground, in forests with close proximity to water or in areas with little tree cover. Black kites prefer mid-canopy parts of trees, but have been seen as high as 30 m. Occasionally, black kites nests will be located near nests of the closely related red kite (Milvus milvus).
Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest ; scrub forest
Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams; coastal
Wetlands: marsh
Other Habitat Features: urban ; agricultural ; riparian ; estuarine
In the wild, black kites have been recorded to live up to 24 years. Expected lifespan of black kites averages 22 years. There are no known captive records, but their closest relative, Milvus milvus, has a known lifespan in captivity of up to 26 years.
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 24 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 22 years.
Black kites are medium-sized raptors, weighing 560 g on average. Body length ranges from 47 to 60 cm, with an average wingspan of 140 to 150 cm. Their dorsal coloration is mostly brown, which fades to a darker brown towards the tips of the wings and tail. The ventral color is mostly brown, but with a lighter brown to nearly rust color markings dispersed throughout. These markings are especially evident along the ventral body surface. The head of black kites is lighter in color (typically a faint brown or grey).
Black kites have small, bead-like dark brown eyes and a large black, hook-shaped beak for tearing flesh and consuming their prey. The outer edge of their wings appears to be "fingered" (a space between each feather gives the appearance of fingers). In addition, this species is recognized for its yellow cere, the skin located on the top of the beak near the nostrils. Black kites are often called "fork-tailed kites" because of the distinct shape of their tails. Their tail feathers are split, forming a v-shape; hence the name “fork-tailed”. Tail coloration is mostly brown, with darker brown striped feathers within. Black kites have long black talons and pale yellow legs. Their sharp talons are very effective for catching and holding prey. Black kites exhibit slight sexual dimorphism in that females have a slightly larger body size than males, through they feature similar coloration. Juveniles are generally lighter in color and have shorter forked tails than adult black kites.
The genus Milvus includes red kites (Milvus milvus), yellow-billed kites (Milvus aegyptius), and Cape Verde kites (Milvus milvus fasciicauda). Black kites often are confused with closely related yellow-billed kites, because of their similar appearance. The main difference between these two species is that yellow-billed kites have yellow bills, whereas black kites have black bills. Red kites are also similar in appearance to black kites because of their yellow legs and brown coloring.
Average mass: 540 g.
Range length: 47 to 60 cm.
Average length: 55 cm.
Average wingspan: 140 to 150 cm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike; female larger
Black kites are natural predators of each other; they tend to steal eggs from other kites' nests. Another predominant predator of the black kites is humans, though most of the time it is not intentional. This usually occurs when humans encroach on black kite habitats or when black kites go to densely human populated areas in order to search for food. When either of these happens, there is the chance for the birds to have accidents with vehicles, or eat things that might be poisonous to them.
The overall brown coloring of black kites may help in blending into trees to avoid predators. Their loud, high pitched screams also are likely to scare away potential predators.
Known Predators:
Black kites are believed to be monogamous, having a single mate at a time and may even pair for life, although there has been some debate. Black kites have a ritualized aerial courtship, which consists of extremely loud calls to one another. In addition, they perform a dangerous display known as grappling, where they lock their feet together in mid-air and begin to spiral towards the ground. Ritual courtship behaviors typically begin in March.
Mating System: monogamous
Black kites breed seasonally between the months of March and August, though this period varies slightly with geographic location. Nest construction follows pair-formation in March, and egg laying occurs between April and May. Black kites reach maturity between 2 and 3 years of age. Nests are located at heights of 2 to 30 m and tend to be built in open forest. Black kites position their nest near the trunk of the tree. Nests also have been found on cliff edges and even on electricity pylons. Occasionally, black kites will build their nests relatively close to other black kite pairs. Nests have also been known to be placed near other species of birds, including grey heron (Ardea cinerea) and cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) rookeries. New nests usually are built each year, but sometimes they will occupy old nests built or abandoned by other black kites or other species. Nests consist of mainly bulky sticks, arranged in layers, many different kinds of soft materials, such as paper, feathers, plastic, feces or almost any other materials they can find.
Black kites on average lay 2 to 3 eggs each year. Occasionally they will lay as few as one or as many as five. Eggs are typically off-white in color, decorated with brown, freckled spots. Incubation averages 32 days. After hatching, the young stay in the nest with the parents for 42 to 56 days. On average, fledged young are protected and cared for by both parents for an additional 15 to 56 days, or until the young are self-reliant.
Breeding interval: Black Kites breed once yearly
Breeding season: The breeding season occurs from March until August
Range eggs per season: 1 to 5.
Average eggs per season: 2 to 3.
Range time to hatching: 28 to 32 days.
Average time to hatching: 32 days.
Range fledging age: 42 to 56 days.
Range time to independence: 15 to 56 days.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 to 3 years.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 to 3 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous
Both the male and female assist in the nest building process. Black kites are very territorial and are constantly alert for potential predators that might harm their young or themselves. Female black kites invest their time in incubating eggs, while males are responsible for providing food to the female and their offspring. Once the fledging stage begins, both parents are responsible for care of the young, which can continue for several months.
Parental Investment: altricial ; male parental care ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female)
