Black-winged Kite
Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789) (0, 1)
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 this area is white and contrasts with the black underside of the primaries as was the case in this first for Britain.
BBRC RECORDS
1.0). 2023 Montgomeryshire Glan-Mule, Newtown, 18th April, video; also seen Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 701; BOURC (2025), Ibis 167: 314-315).
1.1). 2023 Norfolk Brayden Marshes, Horsey and Trimingham, 17th to 20th July, photo; same as Montgomeryshire; also seen Suffolk, Essex.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 701; BOURC (2025), Ibis 167: 314-315).
1.2). 2023 Suffolk Felixstowe Ferry and King’s Fleet, 20th to 21st July, photo; same as Montgomeryshire; also seen Norfolk, Essex.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 701; BOURC (2025), Ibis 167: 314-315).
1.3). 2023 Essex St Osyth, 21st July; same, Colne Point, 22nd July, photo; same as Montgomeryshire; also seen Norfolk, Suffolk.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 117: 701; BOURC (2025), Ibis 167: 314-315).
P). 2025 Gloucestershire Slimbridge WWT, 20th to 21st August.
(birding information services).
P). 2025 Norfolk Hickling Broad NWT, 7th to 11th September, photo.
(birding information services).
