Interestingly, these displays weren't carried out way high up in the clouds. These displays would sometimes involve two or even three birds and consisted of birds soaring in circles above the forest or sometimes, sugar cane plantations. Researchers observed the White-collared Kite engaging in early morning territorial or courtship displays in the mornings. However, thanks to the hard work of many biologists, we do know a few things. Very little is known about the White-collared Kite's behavior. Its tail is mostly white with grey and black banding. It back is dark brown or black and its breast and belly are white. Its head is a light grey color and it has a dark eye and beak. Its plumage is a mixture of white, greys and blacks. The White-collared Kite looks quite similar to the Gray-headed Kite. If this proves to be a valid observation, it would be the very first record of the species for the state of Ceará which would mean that its range extends farther north than previously believed. In 2002, there was an unconfirmed sighting of an individual near Pico Alto - the highest mountain in the Brazilian state of Ceará, in the Baturite Mountains. It lives in primary wet forest from sea level to about 600 meters above sea level. The White-collared Kite is a South American raptor found only in north eastern Brazil. We also supply literature to researchers from our avian research library, which helps scientists around the world gather and share important information on raptor conservation. Additionally, our efforts in scientific research, habitat conservation, education, and community development help conserve raptors around the world. If you pay attention to the tail, noticing that it looks long and trapezoidal shape, you can recognize the Black Kite even from a distance or against the light.The Peregrine Fund has sent some of its biologists to Brazil and, in conjunction with local biologists, they searched for individual White-collared Kites to help better understand their population status. White patches on its underwing are another unique feature, but its most distinguishing feature is its tail. As far as English names of birds go, a bird may be called by a certain name in Britain but by a different one in the United States, and in Japan it occasionally happens that a bird's English name is changed (“Tancho” was changed from Japanese Crane to Red-crowned Crane).Ī notable characteristic of the Black Kite is the color of its upper plumage it is a darker brown compared to other hawks. “Tobi” is used in textbooks and in bird guides because in Japan the species name used by the Ornithological Society of Japan is the standard in such scientific materials. In Japan people call the Black Kite “Tobi” or “Tombi,” and neither is wrong. This is in part related to its quite a few population and flocking nature however, Black Kites mostly scavenge dying or dead prey, which is the reason why the bird is seen as being lower in rank than other hawks in Japan.Įach living creature has a name other than its scientific name, which is common all over the world. It has some easily noticeable features, such as its larger size (other hawks and falcons are ordinarily the same size as or smaller than crows), its slower flight speed, and its frequent circling. Among hawks, the Black Kite is the most common and the easiest to recognize. Hawks can be identified by how they often glide in the sky and have a different way of flapping their wings than crows, which flap widely and slowly. To find them you would do well to take note of crows.

The most familiar hawk Why is the Black Kite looked down on even though it is a hawk?īesides their small population, hawks are very cautious and often fly high in the sky.

Black and white kite