Black Kite
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Milvus migrans
Very rare migrants & annual vagrants to Britain from Southern Europe with 15-25 per year mostly in April-June in the South.
Some escape from captivity.
Breeds in North Africa, Spain & France.
Winters in Southern Europe to South Africa.
The upper plumage is brown, but the head and neck tend to be paler.
The patch behind the eye appears darker.
The outer flight feathers are black and the feathers have dark cross bars and are mottled at the base.
The lower parts of the body are pale brown, becoming lighter towards the chin.
The body feathers have dark shafts giving it a streaked appearance.
They have a distinctive shrill whistle followed by a rapid whinnying call.