Black Kite
Milvus migrans
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- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAccipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and Allies)
- FamilyAccipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
- GenusMilvus (Milvus Kites)
- SpeciesMilvus migrans (Black Kite)
About the Black Kite
The black kite or fire 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 6.7 million individuals.
Unlike others of the group, black kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend much of their time gliding in thermals in search of food. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make them easy to identify. They are vociferous with a distinct shrill whinnying call.
The black kite is widely distributed through temperate and tropical parts of Eurasia and parts of Australasia and Oceania. Temperate populations tend to be migratory. Several subspecies are recognized, with several having previously had English names. The European populations are small, but the South Asian population is comparatively very large.
The black kite was described by the French polymath Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon in his Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux in 1770. The bird was... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Black Kite in Table Mountain National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Table Mountain National Park
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Buteo rufofuscus
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk
Accipiter rufiventris
African Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides typus
Booted Eagle
Hieraaetus pennatus
Forest Buzzard
Buteo trizonatus
White-backed Vulture
Gyps africanus
Martial Eagle
Polemaetus bellicosus
Brown Snake Eagle
Circaetus cinereus
Western Marsh-Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Black-winged Kite
Elanus caeruleus
African Fish-Eagle
Haliaeetus vocifer
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Black Kite in Table Mountain National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Black Kite sighting in Table Mountain National Park, based on 413 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Black Kite in Table Mountain National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Black Kite in Table Mountain National Park in our monthly data.