Habitat: In the tropics, a bird of villages, towns and rubbish dumps, but north of the Alps almost always near water. A lowland bird.

Appearance: In Europe, a summer visitor that migrates in huge numbers via Gibraltar, the Bosporus and Cap Bon.

Breeding season: April – August. Nests in trees – even at great distances from human habitation, the nest is lined with rags. Where the species is most numerous, it breeds in loose colonies. It also likes to live in heron colonies, whose nests it uses. If it builds its own nest, it does so halfway up a strong tree fork. 2-3 eggs.

Characteristics: Length 48-58 cm, wingspan 130-155 cm, weight 750-940 grams, age 23 years.

Food: The black kite preys on roadkill, fishes dead fish out of the water with one leg and also searches rubbish dumps. It also catches frogs, young birds and other weak animals.