Black Kite
Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783)
KB
BLAKI
2380
Family: Accipitriformes > Accipitridae
A regular visitor to Britain from mainland Europe, typically during April and May, Black Kite is more uniformly dark and with a less strongly forked-tailed than Red Kite.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Black Kite
SEASONALITY
BTO RECORDS
SEASONALITY
BTO RECORDS
Identification
Black Kite identification is often difficult.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Black Kite, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Northumberland, 1866 |
DISTRIBUTION
This species is a rare vagrant and was recorded during Bird Atlas 2007–11 as shown on the map.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 3 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.1 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
An overview of year-round movements for the whole of Europe can be seen on the EuroBirdPortal viewer.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Black Kite, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: KB | 5-letter code: BLAKI | Euring: 2380 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Competitive behaviour and feeding rate in a reintroduced population of griffon vultures Gyps fulvus
- Calcium supplementation of breeding birds: directions for future research
- Efficacy of a mitigation method to reduce raptor electrocution at an electricity distribution line in Mongolia
Read more studies about Black Kite on Conservation Evidence >
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