Black Kite

Milvus migrans formosanus

Endemic Subspecies

The Black Kite is a medium-sized (M 55cm; F 60 cm) raptor with a blackish brown body and a slightly forked tail.  The wings are long and narrow, and the underside of the primaries shows a large whitish patch.  The Taiwan race formosanus is said to be smaller than mainland races, but the difference appears to be subtle; furthermore, this subspecies is said to occur on Hainan as well, so its endemic status is questionable.

The Black Kite catches a variety of prey including mice and other small rodents, small birds, bats, lizards, amphibians and large insects.  It also eats a wide variety of animal remains, scraps from abattoirs or fisheries, garbage and any kind of carrion, including animals killed on roads.  It spots prey from the air, flying fairly low in an agile, maneuverable manner.  It is gregarious and roosts communally, usually in trees.  The Black Kite occurs in all types of open or lightly wooded habitat including grasslands, rivers, lakes, wetlands and seashores.  It nests in tall trees or on cliffs, building a nest of sticks lined with various materials; the female lays 2-3 eggs and incubates them, while the male brings her food.

In Taiwan the Black Kite is a rare resident in lowlands to 800 m.  Previously quite common, its population is now estimated at only around 200 birds in five isolated sites:  Wan-li, Rei-fang and Hsin-tien in Taipei County, Tseng-wen Reservoir in Chiayi County and Northern Mountain in Pingtung County.  It is listed as endangered in Taiwan and is legally protected.

References:  Guide to Threatened Birds of Taiwan, BirdLife International Red Data Book, 2005  (Woei-horng Fang);  Handbook of Birds of the World Vol. 2; A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Mackinnon and Phillipps); 100 Common Birds of Taiwan (Wild Bird Society of Taipei); N. J. Collar, “Endemic subspecies of Taiwan birds—first impressions”, in Birding ASIA, Number 2, December 2004