Common name: Black Kite
Scientific name: Milvus migrans
Family: Accipitridae

Size:
Body length: 48–60 cm
Wingspan: 130–155 cm
Weight: 500–1000 g

Identification:
A medium-sized raptor with long, narrow wings and a slightly forked tail (less pronounced than Red Kite). Plumage is overall dark brown with a slightly paler head and streaking. In flight, it shows flexible, buoyant movement with shallow wingbeats and frequent gliding. The tail shape and angled wings give it a distinctive silhouette.

Habitat:
Open landscapes, river valleys, wetlands, agricultural areas, and urban outskirts. Often associated with water bodies and human activity.

Status in Lebanon:
Common passage migrant and summer visitor. Frequently observed soaring over valleys, rivers, and coastal areas, especially during migration seasons.

Diet:
Carnivorous and scavenger — feeds on small mammals, birds, fish, carrion, and human refuse. Highly opportunistic.

Behavior:
Often seen soaring in groups, especially during migration. Agile in flight and capable of catching food mid-air or from the ground. Commonly scavenges near human settlements. Social compared to many other raptors.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)