Nests of Black Kite (Milvus migrans govinda) in Urban Landscape of Kolkata, India

Abstract

All birds construct nests to lay eggs and/or to raise offspring. Scientific description on the nest materials of Black Kite Milvus migrans govinda is very few and is particularly lacking in urban landscape. Therefore, the present study was carried out on three nests of Black Kites collected from different regions of Kolkata metropolis, India to generate quantitative data on the nest parameters and materials used by the Black Kites to construct nest in this urban metropolis of the country. All these nests of Black Kites were large oval shaped platform nests, which mostly comprised of dry twigs of various plants (1.265 ± 0.094 kg, range 1.147–1.452, n = 3), followed by fair amount of human derived (artificial) objects (0.507 ± 0.049 kg, range 0.42–0.59, n = 3) and clay (0.347 ± 0.038 kg, range 0.29–0.42 kg, n = 3). Dimensions of three nests did not vary significantly (Kruskal–Wallis test: H = 0.195, df = 2, P > 0.05), but the weight of ‘plant materials’, ‘human derived materials’ and ‘clay’ present in all three nests varied significantly (Kruskal–Wallis test: H = 6.88, df = 2, P < 0.05). Present study thus adds to the existing knowledge of nest materials used by Milvus migrans govinda and is the first scientific report on nest materials used by these diurnal raptors in Kolkata metropolis.