Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Milvus ("kite") migrans ("migrating")

  Black Kite (subspecies M. m. lineatus) at Kamakura, Japan - November 2014

Featured Subspecies: Black-eared Kite (Milvus migrans lineatus)

Weight: 560-940kg  /  Length: 48-58cm  /  Wingspan: 130-155cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List - Least Concern

Despite it's absence from the UK except as a vagrant, the Black Kite is a massively common bird of prey when viewed on the global level, potentially the most abundant (though not widespread) of all raptors in general.  It is much more of a scavenger than most other birds of prey, which is part of the reason for its comparative success in the modern world.  Black Kites can be found across Europe, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Australia.  In Japan, where I encountered the species they could be spotted circling around the fringes of cities.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Milvus
Subspecies:  M. m. migrans, M. m. lineatus, M. m. govinda, M. m. affinis, M. m. formosanus

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - トビ  /  Tobi  ("Kite")  

Common resident.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Seen at throughout at random times in Kyoto and Osaka

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Abundant at Kamakura, several seen in Tokyo and a number seen at the Akan Crane Centre

SPAIN - Spanish - Milano negro - ("Black Kite")

Scarce and Local Resident

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Seen several times in Madrid and the surrounding farmlands
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Abundant at  Monfrague and seen in numerous places elsewhere.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Red Kite (Milvus milvus)

OTHER NAMES: Fork-tail,  Puttock, Baegez

Latin Etymology: Milvus ("kite") milvus ("kite")

Adult Red Kite (subspecies M. m. milvus) at Geddington, Northants - November 2011

Featured Subspecies: Milvus milvus milvus
Weight: 800-1300g  /  Length: 60-70cm  /  Wingspan: 175-179cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List Near Threatened

Now realistically for me, Red Kite's are no longer elusive, in fact I see them practically every day I walk from my house for any distance, yet I realise that nationally they are still still expanding their range, although it has got to the point where I have seen them in many counties. I'd still suggest around the Kettering/Corby area of Northamptonshire if you are really struggling to see them and don't want to go to Wales - the birds here are established and used to people and so great views are possible.  They do however still face threats - the bird in this photo had suffered a minor poisoning from eating something it shouldn't have and had to be taken into care.  I also saw this species in both trips to Spain, but as with buzzards, the sheer variety of large raptors (including it's locally more common cousin, the black kite) keeps them dominating in the same way they do in my area.

Related Species: 
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Milvinae
Genus: Milvus
Subspecies: M. m. milvus, M. m. fasciicausa*

 - Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - Breeding resident increasing following reintroduction (3000+ pairs)

 - Birds seen in a number of locations, but most regularly around Geddington.

SPAIN - Spanish - Milano reál ("Royal Kite")

Fairly common resident.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: A single bird at El Rocio
 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several on farmland North of Madrid 
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several on farmland near Madrid 

* It is currently unclear as to whether this represents a subspecies of Red or Black Kite, or a hybrid of the two or a species in it's own right. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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