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Kites

Black kite page

Black Kite

Maltese name/s 

Scientific binomen

Order

Family          
Sighting occurrence 

 

Info*
A raptor seen singly or in few individuals but sometimes can be seen in flocks. One of the largest flocks ever recorded over Malta was seen on the 7th September 2016 with 58 birds that have roosted over Buskett (see flock in slide show).  

Diet

It mostly feeds on small live prey like bats, rodents and birds but it can also  hunt fish, scavenge household refuse and carrion. They have also been seen carrying nests of weavers for obtaining eggs or chicks.

Longevity record

23 years (A bird found dead on wires in Switzerland, 829312)

Astun Iswed

Milvus migrans

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Scarce

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Usually seen in

March - April, August - October

Occasionally seen in

February, May

Click on the image to open slideshow

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Length (cm): 
Wingspan (cm): 
Weight (g):

54 - 60
130 - 150
630 - 950

black kite, astun iswed
Red kite page

Red Kite

Maltese name/s 

Scientific binomen

Order

Family          
Sighting occurrence 

 

Info*
A raptor usually seen in single individuals. Red Kites are rufous with black streaks on the chest, have a yellow bill, a pale head and a distinctive deep forked tail.

Diet

It mostly feeds on small live prey like such as rodents and rabbits. They can also take down small birds, reptiles and amphibians while can also feed on earthworms. Red kites are also scavengers and can be seen on carrion. They have also been seen carrying nests of weavers for obtaining eggs or chicks.

Longevity record

25 years (A killed specimen in Germany, D 26437)

Astun Aħmar
Milvus milvus
Accipitriformes
Accipitridae
Very rare

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Usually seen in

September - October

Occasionally seen in

April - May, December

Click on the image to open slideshow

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Length (cm): 
Wingspan (cm): 
Weight (g):

60 - 65
155 - 180
750 - 1300

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Black shouldered kite

Black-winged Kite

Maltese name/s 

Scientific binomen

Order

Family          
Sighting occurrence 

 

Info*
A vagrant raptor usually seen individually.

 

Small, stout, unmistakable raptor with pale grey plumage. Strikingly broad wings and short tail. Large, round, owl-like head with black "mascara" and short neck. Underside of wing-tips, and upper median and lesser coverts black. Immature birds often with rusty underparts and white fringes to flight feathers and scapulars. Glides with wings raised high like a harrier. Frequent and skilfull hovering.

 

Diet

A specialist predator of the introduced house mouse. It takes other suitably-sized creatures when available, including grasshoppers, rats, small reptiles, birds, and even (very rarely) rabbits, but mice and other mouse-sized mammals account for over 90% of its diet.

Longevity record

 6 years

Astun Abjad
Elanus caeruleus
Accipitriformes
Accipitridae
Vagrant

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Usually seen in
---

Occasionally seen in
March - May, September

Click on the image to open slideshow

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xc.png

Length (cm): 
Wingspan (cm): 
Weight (g):

31 - 35
75 - 87
230 - 235

Pictures taken abroad

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*Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.

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