Black-Winged Kite
Elanus caeruleus
Also known as: Black-Shouldered Kite, Sada Baj
Habitat
Ground
Diet
VertFishScav
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
260 g
About This Species
Look for this pale, falcon-like raptor hovering over open grassland, farmland and scrub across Africa and southern Asia, distinctive for its grey-and-white plumage and habit of hanging almost motionless in the air before dropping onto rodents and insects below. It hunts mainly at dawn and dusk, often from a favoured perch such as a wire or dead tree between hovering bouts. These crepuscular hours, especially in the drier months when prey is more exposed, give the best views of active hunting.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Viewing from a vehicle or a stationary position at a reasonable distance is usually sufficient, since disturbing a hunting or perched bird interrupts feeding that matters most at these low-light hours.
- Raptors are protected under wildlife law in most range countries, though the details and enforcement differ substantially between Africa and Asia, so avoid approaching active nests or perches closely regardless of location.
- Nesting birds are particularly sensitive to disturbance, and a nest site should be observed from well back with optics rather than approached on foot.
Seasonal Activity
651,495 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
Traits
- Diet
- VertFishScav
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 260 g
Photo
(c) Ad Konings, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ad Konings
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.