The Black-shouldered Kite, Part I - Quest for subsistence
The Research
Coined the Black-shouldered Kite project, this multi-part series is a combined effort of two nature photographers, Chua (Avatar) and Frederick (Fred) along with our fellow researcher Michelle (s_wrx). Since mid-2003, the initiation date of this project, the team had covered our study and research across the island state on over a dozen nests, and like-numbered pairs of kites. This brought us closer to this graceful resident of the sky, allowing us to catch a glimpse into the private life of this elusive raptor.
The project faces the grim prospect of grinding to a standstill in 2004 when several nesting sites were systematically destroyed in the name of human progress. Discouraged and pained by the loss of so many habitats, the team were forced to reevaluate on this crude reality. We decided to press on, doubling our effort to complete our study on the few remaining sites for we fell that this study is not just for the entirety of the project but for the our very intent to better the protection of nature through educating the masses of her plight.
I am pleased to present thee, the first part of our Black-shouldered Kite study series, Quest for subsistence
A silent flyer. The Black-shouldered Kite is also a swift and silent predator.
Introduction
The Black-shouldered Kite or Elanus caeruleus is a small and unmistakable raptor with its diagnostic plumage, flight silhouette and active flight. There are four subspecies of Black-shouldered Kites and can be found all over the world, from Australia, Arabia and the Middle East. Three of these subspecies can be found in South East Asia.
Often seen perching on dead tree tops and even lamp posts along the road, the Black-shouldered Kite prefers open habitats with scattered trees and hunts over open areas. Nearby trees serve as important vantage posts and nest-sites.
The Black-shouldered Kite is purely a non-forest bird and a common resident in Singapore, that can be found nesting in the precious, undisturbed open country we have here.
An unmistakable stare from its red eye, the graceful Black-shouldered Kite.
They are opportunists and are known to have multiple broods when prey is abundant and/or when the weather is optimal. In Singapore, it has been observed that they have about 2 broods annually. Each brood may have about 2 to 5 chicks. Juveniles stay near the breeding range after fledging, while the parents may begin another brood nearby.
The Black-Shouldered Kite is the only diurnal raptor in the Peninsula shown to be multi-brooded.
Identification
With its distinctive flying style and behavior, the Black-shouldered Kite is not a difficult subject to identify in the wilds.
An adult Black-shouldered Kite soaring in to land.
Adult kites have pale grey upperparts with a whitish head and black forearm with white underparts and grey wing-tips. When in flight, it shows a pair of fairly broad and pointed wings with an extremely short tail and big head. Its active flight can be observed with soft rolling wing-beats; gliding and soaring on V-held wings.
It soars rather fast, and has a habit of sailing along with wings held at a large dihedral angle (an obvious V) then flap-flying on flexed wings, with deep elastic strokes that bounce the body. This action is distinctive even when viewed from far.
The Black-shouldered Kites also hovers when hunting, with its tail facing down and with sweep of the wings nearer horizontal. This will be elaborated in details in latter part of this article.
Immature kites are separable in the field by their eye-colour and plumage. Adults iris are deep red, whilst juveniles iris are pale brown or orange. Their plumage is mottled light brown from the hind-crown to the mantle. They have white-fringed wing-coverts. Adults have a whiter tail with no subterminal band, the lesser primary coverts are black and the greater coverts lack pale tips.
Both juveniles and adults have a black bill with a pale yellow cere. Both feet are peach yellow.
A young Kite, one that is growing into adulthood. Notice the slightly orange tint in the eyes.
Distribution
As non-forest birds, the Black-shouldered Kites can be found soaring and hovering over open country and grasslands. In the last 40 years, small numbers have settled in Singapore. They can be seen in all kinds of open habitats, including the degraded landward edge of mangroves, dune scrub and agriculture. Places like Changi, Punggol and Neo Tiew have proven to be very popular with breeding pairs.
A drop in populations in areas such as Marina South and Pulau Tekong is assumed to be due to the removal of shrubs and bush cover to make way for land development. This course of action affects the kites hunting action and abundance of its prey and eventually its breeding range.
The Research
Coined the Black-shouldered Kite project, this multi-part series is a combined effort of two nature photographers, Chua (Avatar) and Frederick (Fred) along with our fellow researcher Michelle (s_wrx). Since mid-2003, the initiation date of this project, the team had covered our study and research across the island state on over a dozen nests, and like-numbered pairs of kites. This brought us closer to this graceful resident of the sky, allowing us to catch a glimpse into the private life of this elusive raptor.
The project faces the grim prospect of grinding to a standstill in 2004 when several nesting sites were systematically destroyed in the name of human progress. Discouraged and pained by the loss of so many habitats, the team were forced to reevaluate on this crude reality. We decided to press on, doubling our effort to complete our study on the few remaining sites for we fell that this study is not just for the entirety of the project but for the our very intent to better the protection of nature through educating the masses of her plight.
I am pleased to present thee, the first part of our Black-shouldered Kite study series, Quest for subsistence
A silent flyer. The Black-shouldered Kite is also a swift and silent predator.
Introduction
The Black-shouldered Kite or Elanus caeruleus is a small and unmistakable raptor with its diagnostic plumage, flight silhouette and active flight. There are four subspecies of Black-shouldered Kites and can be found all over the world, from Australia, Arabia and the Middle East. Three of these subspecies can be found in South East Asia.
Often seen perching on dead tree tops and even lamp posts along the road, the Black-shouldered Kite prefers open habitats with scattered trees and hunts over open areas. Nearby trees serve as important vantage posts and nest-sites.
The Black-shouldered Kite is purely a non-forest bird and a common resident in Singapore, that can be found nesting in the precious, undisturbed open country we have here.
An unmistakable stare from its red eye, the graceful Black-shouldered Kite.
They are opportunists and are known to have multiple broods when prey is abundant and/or when the weather is optimal. In Singapore, it has been observed that they have about 2 broods annually. Each brood may have about 2 to 5 chicks. Juveniles stay near the breeding range after fledging, while the parents may begin another brood nearby.
The Black-Shouldered Kite is the only diurnal raptor in the Peninsula shown to be multi-brooded.
Identification
With its distinctive flying style and behavior, the Black-shouldered Kite is not a difficult subject to identify in the wilds.
An adult Black-shouldered Kite soaring in to land.
Adult kites have pale grey upperparts with a whitish head and black forearm with white underparts and grey wing-tips. When in flight, it shows a pair of fairly broad and pointed wings with an extremely short tail and big head. Its active flight can be observed with soft rolling wing-beats; gliding and soaring on V-held wings.
It soars rather fast, and has a habit of sailing along with wings held at a large dihedral angle (an obvious V) then flap-flying on flexed wings, with deep elastic strokes that bounce the body. This action is distinctive even when viewed from far.
The Black-shouldered Kites also hovers when hunting, with its tail facing down and with sweep of the wings nearer horizontal. This will be elaborated in details in latter part of this article.
Immature kites are separable in the field by their eye-colour and plumage. Adults iris are deep red, whilst juveniles iris are pale brown or orange. Their plumage is mottled light brown from the hind-crown to the mantle. They have white-fringed wing-coverts. Adults have a whiter tail with no subterminal band, the lesser primary coverts are black and the greater coverts lack pale tips.
Both juveniles and adults have a black bill with a pale yellow cere. Both feet are peach yellow.
A young Kite, one that is growing into adulthood. Notice the slightly orange tint in the eyes.
Distribution
As non-forest birds, the Black-shouldered Kites can be found soaring and hovering over open country and grasslands. In the last 40 years, small numbers have settled in Singapore. They can be seen in all kinds of open habitats, including the degraded landward edge of mangroves, dune scrub and agriculture. Places like Changi, Punggol and Neo Tiew have proven to be very popular with breeding pairs.
A drop in populations in areas such as Marina South and Pulau Tekong is assumed to be due to the removal of shrubs and bush cover to make way for land development. This course of action affects the kites hunting action and abundance of its prey and eventually its breeding range.
