Black Kite
Milvus migrans
In Australia, they are known as 'firehawks' for their observed behavior of carrying burning sticks to start new fires, flushing out prey.
- Scientific name
- Milvus migrans
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Accipitriformes › Accipitridae › Milvus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- urban
- Habitat
- Highly adaptable; found in urban centers, grasslands, wetlands, and woodland edges.
- Diet
- Opportunistic carnivore; eats carrion, small mammals, reptiles, insects, and human food waste.
- Range
- Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia
- Size
- Wingspan: 130-150 cm; Length: 47-60 cm; Weight: 550-950 g.
- Lifespan
- 20-25 years in the wild.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Secondary poisoning from pesticides or lead, electrocution from power lines, and habitat loss in specific regions.
- Safe to approach?
- Generally harmless to humans. Maintain a respectful distance, especially during nesting season when they may become defensive. Do not offer food, as this leads to aggressive scavenging behavior. If a kite swoops near you, calmly leave the area.
The black 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 million individuals. Unlike others of the group, black kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend a lot of time soaring
Photo: Joshua S. Martin, CC0, via iNaturalist
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