Black Kite

Black Kite ( Milvus migrans)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Accipitriformes

Family: Accipitridae

Genus: Milvus

Species: M. migrans

Vernacular name in Pakistan is "cheel in urdu " & " ill in Punjabi". 

  Black kite is another common bird of prey found in Pakistan. There are almost 6 million individuals of this species reported globally. They are found in rural as well as  in urban dense populated regions and feed upon a variety of food. They can easily snatch small birds , pieces of meat, rats, squirrels and other smaller animal with their powerful claws. Black kites breeds during winter usually during the periods of January and February. Clutch size of this species is 2-3 egg and incubation time ranges from 30-34 days. Eurasion eagle owl (Bubo bubo) is the well known predator of kites and can prey upon kites of any age. It has been known to reduce the reproduction rate of kites.