Where does the Black Kite live and what are its preferred habitats?

The Black Kite is a circumpolar species found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. It favors valleys, wooded areas, cliffs, and especially proximity to wetlands (lakes, rivers, ponds) for feeding. It can also be found near populated areas and landfills.

What does the Black Kite primarily feed on?

The Black Kite is an opportunistic scavenger. Its diet mainly consists of dead or sick fish that it catches from the water surface, as well as small animal carcasses, refuse, and waste. It may also hunt small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

How does the Black Kite reproduce?

The Black Kite nests in large trees, often in loose colonies, sometimes reusing old corvid or other raptor nests, which it lines with various materials, including trash. The female lays 2 to 3 eggs (sometimes 4) between April and May, incubated for about 30 to 34 days. The young fledge after approximately 6 weeks.

Black Kite: The Soaring Raptor of Wetlands

Q: What are the main characteristics of the Black Kite?

The Black Kite is a medium-sized raptor (50-72 cm) with predominantly dark brown plumage. Its head is often lighter, and its tail is V-shaped, slightly forked, which distinguishes it in flight. It has a hooked yellow beak and yellow legs.

A Black Kite in flight. — The Black Kite, an opportunistic soaring raptor commonly found near water bodies.

The Discreet Glider of the Skies

The Black Kite (scientific name Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized diurnal bird of prey, recognizable by its dark brown plumage and a slightly forked, V-shaped tail. This widely distributed species embodies opportunism and adaptability across various environments in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

Often seen gracefully soaring over bodies of water or open areas, the Black Kite is primarily a scavenger. Its role as an ecosystem cleaner is crucial, feeding mainly on dead fish, small animal carcasses, and refuse. Its social nature, especially during migrations and breeding season, distinguishes it from many other solitary raptors. Its presence often indicates healthy wetlands and agricultural landscapes where it finds its sustenance.

Our Ornithologist's Advice

By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published on oktober 1, 2025.

My personal advice: Spotting a Black Kite is relatively easy if you know where to look! Focus on the edges of large rivers, lakes, or ponds, where it often glides at low altitudes in search of dead fish. You'll also frequently see it over agricultural areas, especially during haymaking, or even near landfills. Its flight is characteristic: it alternates long gliding phases with soft wing beats, and its slightly forked tail is a good distinguishing feature, though less pronounced than that of the Red Kite. It's a social bird; look for gatherings of several individuals, especially towards the end of the breeding season, before migration.

Identifying the Black Kite: Key Features

The Black Kite is a diurnal raptor whose identification is aided by its plumage, flight silhouette, and characteristic tail.

Size: From 50 to 72 cm in length.
Weight: Generally between 630 g and 1 kg. The female is slightly larger and heavier than the male.
Wingspan: Generally between 1.30 and 1.80 meters.
Eyes: The iris is gray to pale yellow, but may appear dark from a distance, contrasting with its beak.

Plumage: The Black Kite has overall dark brown to chocolate brown plumage, with some lighter nuances, particularly on the head which is often grayish. The underside is reddish-brown streaked with black, which may appear grayish on the chest. Juveniles are lighter and have more varied markings on the body and wings.

Head: The head is proportionally small compared to the body. The beak is yellow and hooked, often with a dark tip. It does not have ear tufts (aigrettes).

Flight Silhouette: In flight, the Black Kite exhibits an angular silhouette with slightly angled wings and a characteristic V-shaped, slightly forked tail, though less deeply forked than that of the Red Kite. Its flight is nonchalant, with long gliding phases, as it scans the ground for prey or carrion.

Black Kite perched. — The Black Kite is characterized by its brown plumage and V-shaped tail.

Scientific Dimensions and Records

Characteristic	Male	Female	Average / Observation
Length	50 – 65 cm	55 – 72 cm	50 – 72 cm
Weight	630 – 900 g	700 – 1000 g	Up to 1 kg
Wingspan	130 – 160 cm	140 – 180 cm	1.30 – 1.80 m
Lifespan	20 – 25 years	20 – 25 years	Up to 28 years (EURING)

Not to be confused with...

Red Kite (Milvus milvus)

The Red Kite is larger, has a longer, deeply forked rufous tail, and a whitish head. In flight, it displays distinct white patches under its wings ("wing windows") which are absent or dull in the Black Kite.

European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

The European Honey Buzzard resembles a Common Buzzard but has a small, pigeon-like head. Its plumage is more variable (often grayish-brown), and its tail generally features three distinct dark bars and a broad terminal band. It does not have the V-shaped tail of the Black Kite.

The Call: Whistles and Mews

The Black Kite is a relatively vocal raptor, especially during the breeding season and courtship displays. Its vocalizations are distinct and can aid in its identification.

It emits a variety of calls, including tremulous and modulated whistles that can resemble a horse's whinny ("il huit" in French). Prolonged mews or sharper, more aggressive calls may also be heard when alarmed. Males use these vocalizations to mark their territory and attract females, while juveniles emit soft whistles to beg for food.

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Behavior: The Opportunistic Scavenger

The Black Kite is a diurnal raptor with an eclectic and opportunistic behavior. It is primarily a scavenger, playing an essential ecological role as a "cleaner" in the environments it inhabits. Its main food source consists of dead or sick fish that it spots and catches from the surface of rivers, lakes, and ponds. It also feeds on small animal carcasses (rodents, birds), refuse, and waste, and is often observed near landfills.

Although mainly a scavenger, the Black Kite is also a skilled hunter of live prey, including small mammals (voles, mice), reptiles, amphibians, and large insects. It sometimes follows tractors in freshly plowed fields to catch disturbed animals. It can also engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing prey from other raptors or birds, like the Common Buzzard. Similar to other large scavengers such as the African Vulture, it actively participates in removing carrion from its environment.

The Black Kite is a gregarious species, a relatively rare characteristic among raptors. It often breeds in loose colonies and gathers in large roosts before autumn migration. Its breeding season begins upon its return from migration in March-April. The nest, often reused, is built in a large tree, usually at the edge of a forest and near a body of water, and is lined with various materials, including refuse. The female lays 2 to 3 eggs (sometimes 4), incubated for about 30 to 34 days, with the male providing food. The young fledge after 6 to 7 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for about another fortnight.

Habitat and Distribution

The Black Kite is one of the most widespread raptors in the world, with a vast range extending across Europe, Asia, tropical Africa, and parts of Australasia. Populations in temperate zones, including the majority in Europe, are migratory and spend winter in sub-Saharan Africa or Southeast Asia, returning to their breeding grounds by March. Populations in tropical regions are generally sedentary.

Its preferred habitat is varied, but it shows a clear affinity for areas near water: rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, and wetlands. It nests in wooded or rocky areas, requiring large trees or rocky escarpments for its nests. The Black Kite also adapts well to open agricultural landscapes and can be observed at the edges of cities, where it benefits from landfills as a food source.

Distribution Map

Conservation Status

The Black Kite is currently classified as "Least Concern" (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Unlike its cousin, the Red Kite, its global population is stable and even moderately increasing in some parts of Europe, particularly in France. Its broad diet and ability to adapt to various habitats, including anthropogenic ones, contribute to its resilience.

However, localized threats persist. These include habitat degradation and loss, especially wetlands and riparian forests, which are essential for its nesting and feeding. Secondary poisoning, often linked to the ingestion of poisoned rodents or carrion contaminated with pesticides, remains a major concern. Collisions with vehicles, fences, power lines, and wind turbines also pose dangers, particularly during migrations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main characteristics of the Black Kite?

The Black Kite is known for its dense and predominantly dark brown to chocolate brown plumage. Adults often have a lighter head. Its tail is V-shaped, slightly forked, and it may show a creamy-brown patch under the wing at the primary flight feathers.

Does the Black Kite hunt at night?

No, the Black Kite is primarily a diurnal raptor, hunting and feeding during the day. Although it can be active at dusk, it is not considered a nocturnal hunter.

Why does the Black Kite gather in large groups?

The Black Kite is a gregarious species. It gathers in large groups for migration and to roost together overnight. This can offer better protection against predators and facilitate food searching.

What does the Black Kite eat?

Its diet is very varied and opportunistic. It feeds mainly on dead or sick fish, small carcasses, refuse, and waste. It also hunts small mammals (voles), reptiles, amphibians, and insects.