Species profile
About this species
The Black Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey found across Europe, Asia, Africa & Australia. It has a distinctive forked tail, dark brown plumage & a graceful, buoyant flight style. It is highly adaptable & often seen scavenging near human settlements, water bodies & open countryside.
Black Kites favour open habitats including farmland, grassland, wetland edges & river valleys. They are frequently found near human settlements, rubbish dumps & fish markets where food is plentiful. They roost communally in trees & are common in both tropical & temperate regions across a wide range.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Black Kite with us in Spain.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, Ian Roberts helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Late morning to early afternoon when thermals are active; late spring & summer offer the best light & increased activity around nesting & feeding areas.
Position yourself near water or open rubbish sites where Black Kites gather to scavenge, as this allows close approach & repeated flight opportunities. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the wings during dynamic soaring & diving manoeuvres. Shooting during thermal activity in late morning allows you to capture the bird soaring at eye level with a clean sky background.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Black Kite
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.