Least Concern — widely distributed; treated as a subspecies of Black Kite.

55–60 cm in length with a wingspan of 135–155 cm; medium-large kite with long wings and a shallowly forked tail; shows darker plumage and contrasting pale ear coverts.

Partly migratory; breeds across Central and East Asia.

Winters in South Asia (including India), Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia; many are common winter visitors around towns and wetlands.

Generally April to July in breeding range.

Builds large stick nests in trees, cliffs, pylons, or buildings; clutch usually 2–3 eggs; often nests near human habitation.

Highly adaptable; found in open countryside, wetlands, river valleys, agricultural land, urban areas, rubbish dumps, and coastal zones.

Opportunistic scavenger and predator; feeds on carrion, fish, rodents, birds, reptiles, insects, and human refuse.