Kite ID - Ukraine (1 Viewer)

[Petro Hryniuk]

Hello! Help with identification please. Red Kite Milvus milvus vs Black Kite Milvus migrans? Ukraine, Rivne region, 18.05.2024

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Petro,

its a Black Kite imo.
Despite harsh warm Light, I think the contrasting pale and blueishgrey head of an adult Red Kite should be visible here.
And the lankier and long-tailed proportions of a Red Kite should be visible.
Please note, that eastern Black Kites tend to be warmer coloured and have a more evident whitish inner primary window.

 

[Southern Viking]

Hello Petro,

its a Black Kite imo.
Despite harsh warm Light, I think the contrasting pale and blueishgrey head of an adult Red Kite should be visible here.
And the lankier and long-tailed proportions of a Red Kite should be visible.
Please note, that eastern Black Kites tend to be warmer coloured and have a more evident whitish inner primary window.

I agree with the ID, the link here is an excellent one for showing the clinal variation in the species Eastern Black Kites in Europe: a new look — subalpinebirding

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

Since I saw a red Black Kite in the Netherlands, all kites are suspicious and the shape says it all.

What about the primaries?