Black Kite

Milvus migrans 55-68.5cm

Karumparundhu in Tamil (கரும்பருந்து)

Widespread resident and winter visitor. Shallow tail-fork. Much manoeuvring of arched wings and twisting of tail in flight. Dark rufous brown with variable whitish crescent at primary bases on underwing, and pale band across median coverts on upperwing. Juvenile has broad whitish or buffish streaking on head and underparts. Mainly around habitation, also mountains.