Black Kites (Milvus migrans) are opportunistic hunters, using the thermals and easily changing direction to swoop down (or up) with their legs to snatch live small prey. And thanks to the brilliant display team at the Hawk Conservancy in Hampshire you get to see them demonstrate their acrobatic feeding skills with incredible effect.
Black Kites are not native to the UK, but will be seen throughout the rest of the world. Our native kites are the Red Kites (Milvus milvus), which were saved from extinction thanks to a very successful and long running protection programme. Read more here.
The life of B 
Great action photos! I didn’t realise there were black kites, but I am very familiar with the red kites, particularly the huge one that swooped down in front of my car one day to pick up something from the road. It gave me quite a fright!
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oh my, not surprised. They are big birds!
There are apparently lots of different kites – white tailed, black shouldered, black eared, whistling, scissor tailed and more!
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I had no idea!
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Neither did I until recently!
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Lovely, Becky! I posted about white kites found in my neighborhood! I love watching their flights at dinner time!
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oh wow you are so lucky 🙂
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You got some great “in flight” photos, Becky and that is not always easy to do.
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There were quite a few reject shots!!!
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I can imagine. 🙂
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Great photos Becky 😀 I got a few photos of Black Kites yesterday
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two great minds 🙂
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But of course 🙂
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😘
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These are magical pictures Becky. I can imagine them being part of some fictional pice of writing 😊
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oh thank you so much . . . and yes think you are right. They would certainly have a great tale to share!
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Some fascinating wing angles.
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There are aren’t there . . they were right above us at times which might explain some of the more unusual ones!
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