The taxonomy of the “Black Kite” Milvus migrans is a complicated affair. It appears that there may well be three species within the traditional Black Kite grouping: Yellow-billed Kite, consisting of both M. (m.) aegyptius and M. (m.) parasitus (breeding in northeastern and southern Africa, respectively); Black Kite M. (m.) migrans which breeds through Europe (nominate race) into southern tropical Asia (govinda), Taiwan (formosanus) and Australia (affinis - this latter subspecies, Fork-tailed Kite, definitely needs more study); and Black-eared Kite M. (m.) lineatus, which breeds in eastern Asia to Japan/Korea, northern India, and southern China.

Genetic studies seem to suggest that lineatus is not sufficiently distinct to be recognised as a full species (though in the field immatures especially are observably distinctive, being dark-masked, heavily streaked, and large), but interestingly aegyptius and parasitus (the two forms of Yellow-billed Kite) are as distinct from each other as Black Kites are from Red Kites M. milvus (with a divergence of about 1.8%). The significant subdivision between Black kites and Yellow-billed Kites is not surprising given that these two groups of birds possess observable morphological differences, most obviously the colour of the bill in adults - but no study has yet been done [please correct me if I’m wrong though] which shows that northern and southern Yellow-billeds are distinct species. (Adapted from an article by J. Johnson, Watson R., and Mindell D.).

The following Black Kites were photographed on the same morning in Bangalore (November 18 2007) and are therefore “Pariah” Kites M. migrans govinda.They are all juveniles as evidenced by the extensive pale tipping to eg the flight feathers and the streaked underparts. Note too the different states of moult and primary wear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Pariah Kites” Milvus migrans govinda, southern India, November

 

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Black-eared Kite M. (m.) lineatus, central Japan, January (For comparison purposes)

All photographs Copyright Charlie Moores