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| young Fork-tailed Kite Milvus migrans affinis (Australian Black Kite) General guides in Australia simply refer to this as Black Kite but another name is Fork-tailed Kite. (Click on the image for a closer view) Oakey, Queensland, Australia August 2011 |
This is a comparison between two subspecies of Black Kite, Milvus migrans affinis of Australia and Milvus migrans lineatus of Japan.
I'm not exactly sure how to separate the two, the above names are from the Wikipedia Black Kite page
It differs a little from my "Raptors of the World" by James Ferguson-Lees and David Christie. The latter designates the Australian bird as a subspecies of Milvus migrans but separates the Japanese kite from 'migrans' as simply Milvus lineatus. I don't think there is much in it so I won't worry too much. I'm not a scientist.
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| Black-eared Kite Milvus migrans lineatus (Japanese Black Kite) Japanese name: Tobi This Kite is just a little larger and bulkier than the Australian Kites. So named for the darker patch around the ears. It also has a more distinctive white patch just near the base of the front primary feathers and the wings are broader. Toyanogata, Niigata, Japan |
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| Black-eared Kite |
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| This photo shows how the Fork-tailed Kite forks its tail in flight as compared to the first photo where it is stretched out squarely. The tail looks very forked when perched. More noticeably than with the Black-eared Kites. |
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| Fork-tailed Kite The Australian race is the smallest of the Black Kites according to my raptor book. |
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| Fork-tailed Kite Notice how the wings are narrower than the Black-eared Kites below. Oakey, Queensland, Australia August 2011 |
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| Black-eared Kite Sakata, Niigata, Japan 2007 |
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| Black-eared Kite |
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| Black-eared Kite Notice on the above three photos the distinct white window at the end of the wings. |
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| Black-eared Kite, Hyoko, Niigata, Japan (snowing) |
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| young Fork-tailed Kite, Oakey I think in this photo we can just see the yellow cere found on the Australian Kites. (cere: nose) |
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| immature Fork-tailed Kite Here we can see yellow feet! |
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| adult Fork-tailed Kite The wings look very narrow to me now I'm use to Japanese birds! |
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| Fork-tail |
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| Fork-tail Showing how flexible the tail really is. |
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| Black-eared Kite Usually the light is much duller for the Japanese species and colours can be difficult to compare. |
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| Black-eared The feet are greyish blue, not yellow. |
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| Black-eared |
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| Black-eared |
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| Fork-tailed kite It's interesting to compare them again in different lighting conditions. |
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| Fork-tailed Kite |
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| Fork-tailed Kite |
Can you tell which is which?
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View from Enoshima, 2002
Taken with a Pentax Z-1 film camera.
5 comments:
Wow you have lots of Kite shots!
I've seen these in France, central Asia, east Asia and Australia..........is is it 1,2 or 3 species? Dunno.
A very interesting post, Russell. I think there are a few subspecies that winter in Malaysia but I never really got round to try and separate them.
Really nice and informative post, Russell. We also have our local Black Kite subspecies here in Thailand as well, but it's not a big deal to distinguish from the winter visitor M.m.lineatus since it has bright yellow cere.
Superb shots Russell and thanks for the explanation and differences you highlight. Save us from scientists.
Great photos you've got there!
These Black kites, especially the Japanese one, seem somewhat lighter on the chest than the European ones.
Is it a criteria for differentiation for ssp, I am not sure.
I think maybe it has more to do with their diet!
It is interesting to compare them: mine are coming out on the 31rst on my blog.
I love the views on the mountain with it's snowy cap! What a stunning place!
Cheers Russel!
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