Elanus caeruleus vociferus

(Latham, 1790)

Vernacular names

English : Black-winged kite
French : Élanion blanc

Classification

Class : Aves
Order : Accipitriformes
Family : Accipitridae
Notes : 3 other subspecies known.

Identification

Adults can reach a total length of 37 cm for a weight of 343 g. Black bill with yellow cere, dark red eyes with black supercilium. White face, breast, belly, grey flanks, wings and back, light grey crown. Most of wing and shoulder black.

Range and habitat

This subspecies occurs from India to south China, south to Malaysia. Species found in south Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and south to south-east Asia. Lives in open savannas, arid steppes, clearings in woodlands, to 3000 m.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is very common to abundant in most of its range. It can adapt well to living in modified environments if enough preys are available.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation