Friday, December 26, 2014

Black-winged Kite

Black-winged Kite


On a short birding trip yesterday (25 Dec'14),  along the Pantai Temasya Drive, I was overwhelmed when I saw this beautiful Black-winged Kite (Elanus caerulueus).  Her back and rest of upper parts are dark grey with black wing coverts forming a distinctive shoulder patch.  Obviously she was looking at me with piercing eyes.   The underparts especially her neck and breast were fluffy white.  Another distinguishing mark was her striking reddish orange yes and yellow feet.  It has been noted that it is now a common lowland resident throughout Sarawak.  Whatever it is, it is  a lifer for me.