A David Mead original from Raptors of the World, published by Christopher Helm as a Handbook (2001) and a Field Guide (2005).

Plate 7 in Handbook (Field Guide plates 6 and 7).

Red Kite Milvus milvus
Europe (including Britain), E Asia, NW Africa

Cape Verde Kite Milvus fasciicauda
Cape Verde Islands off W Africa

Black Kite Milvus migrans*
Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
S Europe, S and SE Asia, Africa

*Two subspecies shown here are elevated to species level in Field Guide as Black-eared Kite Milvus lineatus and Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius.

ABOUT THE BIRDS Once abundant in the streets of London, the graceful Red Kite was severely persecuted in Britain, but is now recovering thanks to a reintroduction programme. The Black Kite’s adaptability and willingness to eat almost anything enables it to thrive in a variety of habitats, including cities. It is often tame enough to forage in bustling markets.

Probably the world’s rarest raptor, the Cape Verde Kite is close to extinction on the one island from which it has been reported in recent years. The Black-shouldered Kite, which hunts in open countryside for rodents and insects, is one of the few bird species that may actually benefit from deforestation.

Medium Gouache on tinted acrylic gesso
Image size 8in x 12in (20cm x 30cm)