Range: Indo-Malayan

Black Kite Milvus migrans

FUN FACT

Black Kites eat “on the wing,” catching smaller prey out of the air with their talons and bringing the food directly to their mouths without slowing down.

The Black Kite is a medium-sized, primarily brown raptor. Kites are characterized by their long wings and tails, buoyant and acrobatic flight, and ability to catch food in mid-air. Black Kites are widespread and adaptable and can be found throughout portions of Africa, Europe, and Australasia. They eat small mammals, other birds, carrion, and insects. Their most notable trait is the ability to catch and eat prey while still in flight and they have been observed catching large insects fleeing from wildfires. Unlike most raptors, Black Kites are a fairly social and gregarious species and often gather in large flocks to roost and feed.

Black Kite

Milvus migrans
Afrotropical Australasian Indo-Malayan Palearctic

Habitat

Nearly ubiquitous, occurring from semi-desert, grassland, and savanna to woodland, but avoids dense forest. Commonly found in aquatic habitats, e.g. rivers, lakes, wetlands, seashores, and nearby in meadows and along margins of wetlands. Often linked with humans and has successfully colonized large urban areas of Africa and Asia.

Diet

Small animals, insects, carrion, and human refuse

Status

Least Concern

Breeding

Black Kites often nest in loose colonies and in areas where nesting sites are at a premium, and have been observed nesting only a few feet from one another. Nests are generally built in trees, cliffs, or building ledges, and consist primarily of sticks and twigs. Black Kites typically lay 2-3 eggs which are incubated by the female for approximately 30 days. After hatching, the young birds remain in the nest for an additional 6-8 weeks, and become independent roughly 3 weeks after fledging.

Malayan Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus

Malayan Flying Foxes play a crucial role in pollinating and dispersing seeds in our ecosystem. They spit out fruit seeds or pass them through their digestive systems, allowing them to grow new trees and plants. This is especially important for birds, who rely on the trees for nesting and feeding.

Malayan Flying Foxes are the largest member of Pteropus! With their striking red or russet heads that turn deep orange during breeding season, these bats are a true wonder of nature. They have large, well-developed eyes for flight navigation and form feeding groups of up to 50 and roosting colonies of up to 20,000 individuals. And let’s not forget about their unique ability to hang effortlessly upside-down in trees with their long, sharp, curved claws. As the world’s only flying mammals, these bats truly are a sight to behold.

Despite their impressive size and territorial behavior, the Malayan Flying Fox is facing a decline in their population. In some areas, colonies of up to 52,000 individuals have been reduced to only 3,000.

Malayan Flying Fox

Pteropus vampyrus
Indo-Malayan

Distribution

Native to Southeast Asia

Habitat

Forests, swamps, small islands near coasts

Diet

Primarily fruit but will also consume nectar, flower, pollen, and leaves

Status

Near Threatened

Breeding

Gestation is 180 days; females give birth to a single pup and raise their young for 3 to 4 months.

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In The News

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