Population, Distribution, Sub-species, Feeding and Breeding Biology of Black Kite: A Review

Abstract

The black kite is a medium-sized raptor and widely distributed on all continents except Nearctic and Neo-tropic zone. It plays a crucial role in the ecosystem and maintains prey populations, especially for rodents. They preferred a wide variety of habitats, including open areas, grasslands, scattered vegetation, agricultural land and also adapted towards cities and towns. Black kite diets are extremely diverse; they typically consume grasshoppers, birds, rodents, bats and dead animal carcasses. A diet of black kite varies geographically and depends on the availability and abundance of prey population. The breeding season for black kites begins in March and lasts until April and also vary and depending on the subspecies. Black kites usually construct nest upon large trees, mobile tower and electric pylons. They generally utilise plant matter as nesting material, but sometime they also utilise clothes, paper and plastic. Population of black kite is declining due to poisoning by pesticides, lack of roosting and nesting sites, lack of prey availability and electrocutions. Environmental conditions such as extreme temperature, wind velocity and rainfall influence the daily activity and breeding biology of black kites. Habitat fragmentation, anthropogenic interference, deforestation, pesticide pollution and electrocutions cause negative impacts on raptor survival, including the black kite.