Black Harrier vs Black Kite
Circus maurus compared with Milvus migrans
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black Harrier | Black Kite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Circus maurus | Milvus migrans |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 70.5 cm (27.8 in) | 91.5 cm (36.0 in) |
| Weight | 497.3333333333333 g (17.54 oz) | 753.8333333333334 g (26.59 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-5 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Black Harrier
Black Kite
About These Birds
Black Harrier
The Black Harrier is an endangered, medium-sized raptor endemic to southern Africa with almost entirely black plumage, bold white barring on the tail, and characteristic pale eyes. It inhabits lowland fynbos, Renosterveld, and wetland edges primarily in the Western and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. It hunts by quartering low over open terrain, capturing small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
Black Kite
The Black Kite is a medium-large raptor with brown plumage, a slightly forked tail, and an agile, buoyant flight style. It is one of the most abundant and widespread raptors in the world, inhabiting open woodlands, farmland, wetlands, and urban areas across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It is an opportunistic scavenger and hunter, feeding on carrion, fish, small vertebrates, insects, and refuse.