A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Elanus caeruleus
The Black-shouldered Kite is a small and graceful, predominantly pale grey and white, raptor with black shoulders and red eyes. Their primary call is a clear whistle, uttered in flight and while hovering.
Seen at a grassland.
Aerial courtship displays involve single and mutual high circling flight, and the male may fly around slowly with stiff exaggerated flaps, commonly known as butterfly-flight. Courting males dive at the female, feeding her in mid-flight. The female grabs food from the male's talons with hers while flipping upside-down. They may lock talons and tumble downwards in a ritualised version of grappling, but release just before landing. All courtship displays are accompanied by constant calling.
11 Comments
Thank you micam :-)
Thanks Mona, Adarsha, Stefania and ChiefRedEarth for your kind comments :-)
Superb shot!
Stunning..
Thanks Jacob!
Beautiful!!
Thanks Yogesh!
Superb!!
Hehe thanks sunswimer.
lol Awesome timing. Hilarious.
Thanks EnvUnlimited!