Black-winged (Black-shouldered) Kite

Fairly common resident. A small, stocky grey hawk resembling an Accipiter, but distinguished by diagnostic white throat with vertical black streak and one (rarely two) bold white tail-band. Immature more buffy above and below, throat-streak less clear. The call is a whistling ‘klioo-klu-klu-klu’, uttered regularly while perched; also a ringing ‘peeeeo’. Occurs in broad-leaved woodland, mixed bushveld and well-treed farmlands. Often perches partially concealed in the canopy of a tree, but also conspicuously on telephone poles or dead trees where it scans the area before making a fast diving strike onto prey. Nomadic in movement, during winter months moves to more arid areas. Feeding on lizards, snakes and insects. 0,2-0,5 g.