On a wing and a prayer: Rare Black Kite spotted in Taiwan

The Black Kite (Milvus Migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey. A hunting bird, its population saw a dramatic decline in recent years. This picture taken on November 19, 2015 shows one flying near the Keelung harbour, Taiwan. (AFP)

Updated on: Nov 24, 2015 7:54 PM IST

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The Black Kite (Milvus Migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey. A hunting bird, its population saw a dramatic decline in recent years. This picture taken on November 19, 2015 shows one flying near the Keelung harbour, Taiwan. (AFP)

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A protected bird, it can be spotted in the temperate and tropical parts of Eurasia and parts of Australasia and Oceania. The bird has become a rare sight in Taiwan although numbers have doubled to over 400 in the past 25 years. (AFP)

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Despite being an opportunistic hunter, Black Kite is more likely to scavenge. (AFP)

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While the bird’s European population is rather small, its South Asian population is much bigger. Recent sightings in Taiwan have meant that more tourists come to Keelung in the hope of spotting one hovering over the harbour. (AFP)

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Smaller than a Red Kite, this bird has a forked tail with a generally dark plumage. (AFP)

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A Black Kite generally feeds on fish, carrion, birds, bats and rodents. (AFP)