07/02/2026
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
The Black Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey, easily recognized by its slender build, long wings, and slightly forked tail. This adaptable raptor is known for its effortless soaring, often circling high on thermals while scanning the ground for food.
Ornithological Details:
• Scientific name: Milvus migrans
• Family: Accipitridae
• Status in Sri Lanka: Winter migrant
• Habitat: Open country, grasslands, wetlands, agricultural areas, and near human settlements
• Diet: Opportunistic feeder — small mammals, reptiles, insects, fish, carrion, and human refuse
• Identification features:
• Brown body with paler streaked head and breast
• Yellow cere and legs
• Long wings with darker flight feathers
• Shallow forked tail, visible in flight
Black Kites are highly intelligent and adaptable, often seen gliding gracefully with minimal wingbeats. Their presence is an important indicator of healthy open ecosystems, where they play a key role as natural scavengers and predators.
A silent sentinel of the skies—always watching, always waiting.