Circannual variation in movement patterns of the Black Kite (Milvus migrans migrans): a review

Common wintering of black kites (Milvus migrans migrans) in Greece, and new data on their wintering elsewhere in Europe

“…Circannual variations in movement patterns of black kites have been extensively reviewed by Panuccio et al (2013a). Those authors concluded that black kites are summer residents in Europe and winter mostly in Africa.…”

“…Material and methods D e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e p e r i o d o f b l a c k k i t e w i n t e r i n g i n E u r o p e Spring migration of black kites from Africa to Europe towards their breeding territories is the most concentrated across the Straits of Gibraltar, where it starts in the last third of February and peaks during the first half of March (Panuccio et al 2013a). The second most important flyway goes through the Middle East, where the migration takes place mostly between the second half of March and the first days ofApril.…”

“…The smallest numbers of birds cross the Mediterranean Sea between the Peloponnese, Crete and Libya. Panuccio et al (2013a) also summarized information on wintering black kites. The birds winter in variable densities in sub-Saharan Africa south to Cape Province with the exception of dense forests.…”

“…Moreover, black kites have begun to winter regularly in Sicily (Sarà 2003). Based on these facts, Panuccio et al (2013a) called for further research to verify whether observations in the Middle East and Sicily are purely local phenomena, or if the numbers of black kites wintering in the Mediterranean area are possibly increasing in association with a shift of wintering grounds due to climate warming.…”

“…These birds winter mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, a few remain to winter in the Mediterranean region, and considerably more winter in the Middle East down to southern Arabia (FergusonLees & Christie 2001). Black kites are opportunistic predators with hunting areas around water bodies, where they feed mostly on fish; on grasslands, where they feed on small mammals, passerines, snakes and invertebrates; and in urban areas, where they look for carrion or waste from abbatoirs and garbage dumps (Panuccio et al 2013a).…”