Black Kite
Black KiteBlack KiteBlack KiteBlack Kite

Black Kite

Milvus migrans

Silhouette: PhyloPic

LCLeast ConcernNTVUENCR
Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]

In 3 days <5%

18 Verified sightings at Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]
26,976 In all 102 parks From 2019 to 2026
December Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the Black Kite

The black kite or fire kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors. It is thought to be the world's most abundant species of Accipitridae, although some populations have experienced dramatic declines or fluctuations. Current global population estimates run up to 6.7 million individuals.

Unlike others of the group, black kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend much of their time gliding in thermals in search of food. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make them easy to identify. They are vociferous with a distinct shrill whinnying call.

The black kite is widely distributed through temperate and tropical parts of Eurasia and parts of Australasia and Oceania. Temperate populations tend to be migratory. Several subspecies are recognized, with several having previously had English names. The European populations are small, but the South Asian population is comparatively very large.

The black kite was described by the French polymath Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon in his Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux in 1770. The bird was... Wikipedia →

Sounds

Call0:34

China · 2026

© Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇 · XC1180528 · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Alarm call0:31

China · 2026

© He Wenjin · XC1177834 · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Flight call0:11

Spain · 2026

© Esperanza Poveda · XC1166697 · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Berenty Reserve 🇲🇬 Madagascar
>90%
2 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~70%
3 Nikko National Park 🇯🇵 Japan
~60%
4 West Coast National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~60%
5 Monfragüe National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
~50%
6 Ankarafantsika National Park 🇲🇬 Madagascar
~50%
7 Keoladeo National Park 🇮🇳 India
~40%
8 Doñana National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
~40%
9 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~40%
10 Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park 🇲🇳 Mongolia
~40%
11 Volcanoes National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
~40%
12 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~40%
13 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~40%
14 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~40%
15 Mudumalai National Park 🇮🇳 India
~40%
16 Awash National Park 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
~40%
17 Bale Mountains National Park 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
~30%
18 Kakadu National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~30%
19 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
~30%
20 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~30%
21 Sierra de Guadarrama National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
~30%
22 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~30%
23 Litchfield National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~30%
24 Nyungwe National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
~30%
25 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~30%
26 Cévennes National Park 🇫🇷 France
~30%
27 Jiuzhaigou National Park 🇨🇳 China
~30%
28 uMkhuze Game Reserve 🇿🇦 South Africa
~30%
29 Nitmiluk National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~30%
30 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
~30%
31 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~20%
32 Lower Zambezi National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~20%
33 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
~20%
34 Bandipur National Park 🇮🇳 India
~20%
35 Chitwan National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
~20%
36 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~20%
37 Camargue 🇫🇷 France
~20%
38 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~20%
39 Flinders Ranges National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~20%
40 Pyrénées National Park 🇫🇷 France
~20%
41 Ranomafana National Park 🇲🇬 Madagascar
~20%
42 Semuliki National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~20%
43 Addo Elephant National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~20%
44 Niokolo-Koba National Park 🇸🇳 Senegal
~20%
45 De Hoop Nature Reserve 🇿🇦 South Africa
~20%
46 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
~20%
47 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
~20%
48 Samburu National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
49 Lake Nakuru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
50 Nagarhole National Park 🇮🇳 India
~10%
51 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
52 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~10%
53 Picos de Europa National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
~10%
54 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
55 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~10%
56 Jim Corbett National Park 🇮🇳 India
~10%
57 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
58 Hattah-Kulkyne National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%
59 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
60 Ranthambore National Park 🇮🇳 India
~10%
61 Gir National Park 🇮🇳 India
~10%
62 Kaziranga National Park 🇮🇳 India
~10%
63 Garden Route National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
64 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
~10%
65 Golden Gate Highlands National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
66 Table Mountain National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
67 Mantadia National Park 🇲🇬 Madagascar
~10%
68 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
69 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
70 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
71 Aigüestortes National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
<5%
72 Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
<5%
73 Meru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
74 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
75 Royal Bardia National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
<5%
76 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
77 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
78 Langtang National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
<5%
79 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
80 Manas National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
81 Amboseli National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
82 Daintree National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
83 Arusha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
84 Sundarbans National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
85 Etosha National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
<5%
86 Fertő-Hanság National Park 🇭🇺 Hungary
<5%
87 Biebrza National Park 🇵🇱 Poland
<5%
88 Hortobágy National Park 🇭🇺 Hungary
<5%
89 Bandhavgarh National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
90 Pilanesberg National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
91 Bavarian Forest National Park 🇩🇪 Germany
<5%
92 Khao Yai National Park 🇹🇭 Thailand
<5%
93 Kanha National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
94 Sierra Nevada National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
<5%
95 Satpura National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
96 Kiskunság National Park 🇭🇺 Hungary
<5%
97 Kaeng Krachan National Park 🇹🇭 Thailand
<5%
98 Royal Manas National Park 🇧🇹 Bhutan
<5%
99 Periyar National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
100 Great Otway National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
101 Doi Inthanon National Park 🇹🇭 Thailand
<5%
102 Wadden Sea National Park 🇩🇪 Germany
<5%

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Islamabad 🇵🇰 Pakistan
>90%
2 Visakhapatnam 🇮🇳 India
>90%
3 Agra 🇮🇳 India
~90%
4 Serrekunda 🇬🇲 Gambia
~90%
5 Hajipur 🇮🇳 India
~90%
6 Bengaluru 🇮🇳 India
~90%
7 Karachi 🇵🇰 Pakistan
~90%
8 Srinagar 🇮🇳 India
~90%
9 Ranchi 🇮🇳 India
~90%
10 Kathmandu 🇳🇵 Nepal
~90%

Zoos & Centres Where Found

# Zoo / Centre Country
1 Pairi Daiza 🇧🇪 Belgium In captivity
2 ZooParc de Beauval 🇫🇷 France In captivity
3 Le rocher des aigles 🇫🇷 France In captivity
4 Lusen National Park Centre 🇩🇪 Germany In captivity
5 Espace Rambouillet 🇫🇷 France In captivity
6 Safaripark Beekse Bergen 🇳🇱 Netherlands In captivity
7 Indroda Nature Park 🇮🇳 India In captivity
8 Taipei Zoo 🇹🇼 Taiwan In captivity
9 Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden 🇭🇰 Hong Kong SAR China In captivity
10 Safari Madrid 🇪🇸 Spain In captivity
11 Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park 🇬🇧 United Kingdom In captivity
12 WildtierPark Edersee 🇩🇪 Germany In captivity
13 Alice Springs Desert Park 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
14 Kano Zoo 🇳🇬 Nigeria In captivity
15 Terra Natura Benidorm 🇪🇸 Spain In captivity
16 Diergaarde Blijdorp 🇳🇱 Netherlands In captivity
17 Lisbon Zoo 🇵🇹 Portugal In captivity
18 Taronga Zoo 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
19 JOJOZOO PARK 🇹🇼 Taiwan In captivity
20 Zoo de La Flèche 🇫🇷 France In captivity
21 حديقة الحيوانات تازة 🇩🇿 Algeria In captivity
22 Wildparadies Tripsdrill 🇩🇪 Germany In captivity
23 Almaty Zoo 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan In captivity
24 Дельфинарий в Сочи-парке 🇷🇺 Russia In captivity
25 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
26 Botanical and Zoological Garden of Tsimbazaza 🇲🇬 Madagascar In captivity
27 Adler- und Wolfspark Kasselburg 🇩🇪 Germany In captivity
28 Zoomarine 🇵🇹 Portugal In captivity
29 London Zoo 🇬🇧 United Kingdom In captivity
30 Asahiyama Zoo 🇯🇵 Japan In captivity
31 Terra Natura Murcia 🇪🇸 Spain In captivity
32 Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
33 Chai Nat Bird Park 🇹🇭 Thailand In captivity
34 Reserva Zoológica Oasys MiniHollywood 🇪🇸 Spain In captivity
35 Tennōji Zoo 🇯🇵 Japan In captivity
36 Vogelpark Avifauna 🇳🇱 Netherlands In captivity
37 Monkeyland 🇿🇦 South Africa In captivity
38 Kuala Lumpur Bird Park 🇲🇾 Malaysia In captivity
39 Oasi Naturalistica di Sant'Alessio 🇮🇹 Italy In captivity
40 Zoopark Limpopo 🇷🇺 Russia In captivity
41 Bird Park Steinen 🇩🇪 Germany In captivity
42 Eram Zoo 🇮🇷 Iran In captivity
43 The Raptor Foundation 🇬🇧 United Kingdom In captivity
44 World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park 🇿🇦 South Africa In captivity
45 Cim d'Àligues 🇪🇸 Spain In captivity
46 Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
47 Greifvogelpark Saarburg 🇩🇪 Germany In captivity
48 Hai Kef 🇮🇱 Israel In captivity
49 Zoo Koki (Parque zoológico y botánico) 🇪🇸 Spain In captivity
50 Bali Bird Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia In captivity

Closest Relatives at Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]

Brahminy Kite
LC

Brahminy Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliastur indus

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely
White-Bellied Sea-Eagle
LC

White-Bellied Sea-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus leucogaster

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Oriental Honey-buzzard
LC

Oriental Honey-buzzard

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pernis ptilorhynchus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Crested Serpent Eagle
LC

Crested Serpent Eagle

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Spilornis cheela

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Crested Hawk-Eagle
LC

Crested Hawk-Eagle

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Nisaetus cirrhatus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Booted Eagle
LC

Booted Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hieraaetus pennatus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Pied Harrier
LC

Pied Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus melanoleucos

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Western Marsh-Harrier
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Eastern Marsh-Harrier
LC

Eastern Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus spilonotus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psittacula krameri

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely
House Crow
LC

House Crow

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Corvus splendens

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely
Pearl-necked Dove
LC

Pearl-necked Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia chinensis

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Black Kite in Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]?

Rare

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Black Kite sighting in Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte] on a given day, based on 18 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 161st most-seen of the 204 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to under 5%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Black Kite in Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]?

Any time of year

In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Black Kite in Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte] on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.

What time of day is best to see a Black Kite?

Between 9 am and noon

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Black Kite sightings with a recorded time, and nearly all of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte] the best place to see a Black Kite?

162nd of 164

Of the 164 cities where we can rate Black Kite sightings, Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte] ranks 162nd at under 5%. The best odds are in Islamabad (Pakistan, over 90%), Visakhapatnam (India, over 90%) and Agra (India, about 90%).

Which relatives of the Black Kite live in Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]?

Same family: Accipitridae

The closest relatives of the Black Kite that you can see in Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte] (family Accipitridae, Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) are Brahminy Kite (about 50%), White-Bellied Sea-Eagle (about 10%) and Oriental Honey-buzzard (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Where does the Black Kite sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Black Kite is recorded against all the birds logged in Colombo [Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte] (18 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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