Black-winged Kite
Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789) (0, 0)
Photo © Phil Woollen - Stubb Mill, Hickling, Norfolk, 19 July 2023
STATUS
Polytypic. France and the South-western Iberian Peninsula., Africa and western Arabia.
OVERVIEW
This first for Britain was seen by two Shropshire birders. It was of the nominate western race caeruleus.
Three subspecies are known (Gill et al., 2024): caeruleus, vociferus and hypoleucus, the last two are known as Asian Black-shouldered Kite.
The dark coloration extends along the underside of the secondaries in vociferus, while in caeruleus the area is white and contrasts with the black underside of the primaries as was the case in the first for Britain.
BBRC RECORDS
1.0). 2023 Montgomeryshire Glan-Mule, Newtown, 18th April, video; also seen Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex.
(https://bou.org.uk/british-list/changes-to-the-british-list-13-aug-2024/).
1.1). 2023 Norfolk Braydon Marshes, Horsey and Trimingham, 17th to 20th July, photo; same as Montgomeryshire; also seen Suffolk, Essex.
(https://bou.org.uk/british-list/changes-to-the-british-list-13-aug-2024/).
1.2). 2023 Suffolk Felixstowe Ferry and King’s Fleet, 20th to 21st July, photo; same as Montgomeryshire; also seen Norfolk, Essex.
(https://bou.org.uk/british-list/changes-to-the-british-list-13-aug-2024/).
1.3). 2023 Essex St Osyth, 21st July; same, Colne Point, 22nd July, photo; same as Montgomeryshire; also seen Norfolk, Suffolk.
(https://bou.org.uk/british-list/changes-to-the-british-list-13-aug-2024/).
