Peppergrass

Black-winged Kite

Elanus caeruleus

Similar to the Black-shouldered Kite of Australia, this species is also called the Black-shouldered Kite. This bird is small and is a palish grey and almost looks as if it has a tinge of blue to it. It has broad black shoulders and black wing tips. Around the eyes, the feathers are dark but that just helps bring out their large ruby red eyes. Tail has a shallow fork and is white. both sexes look alike and juveniles are duskier. Due to the narrow wings these birds are quite buoyant in the air and it almost looks like it’s hovering. This species is a wide spread resident breeder in both Sri Lanka and India.

Posted on May 19, 2008 at 3:22 pm in Uncategorized.