Kite, Black-winged

Conservation status:

Vagrant

Description:

Size of a large Kestrel, but appears larger in flight. Easily identified by combination of black primaries on white under surface and large black patch on forewing, in otherwise pale grey upper surface with a whitish tail. Juvenile darker and dirtier above with thin white line on greater coverts. Well protruding, broad head, shortish tail with slight notch when closed, with long pointed but relatively broad-based wings. Owl-like flight with soft wing beats, raised wings like harrier when soaring, interspersed with persistant hovering.