Black winged Kite, Norfolk, Jan 2026

Until very recently, the Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) was considered a "mythical" bird for UK birdwatchers. However, this may now be changing, possibly due to climate change and a northward expansion from its traditional homes in Africa and Southern Europe.

The Black-winged Kite is a small, strikingly beautiful raptor that looks more like a cross between a falcon and an owl than a typical kite.

Plumage: It has a distinctive blue-grey back, a pure white underside, and prominent black "shoulders" (wing patches).

Eyes: It is famous for its piercing blood-red eyes, which are forward-facing, giving it an owl-like appearance.

Hunting: Unlike the scavenging Red Kite, the Black-winged Kite is a specialist hunter of small mammals. It is most often seen hovering with high-frequency wing beats, similar to a Kestrel, before dropping vertically onto prey.

Date	Location	Significance
April 2023	Montgomeryshire, Wales	First-ever British record. A single bird was spotted near Newtown.
July 2023	Hickling Broad, Norfolk	The first "twitchable" record, staying long enough for hundreds of birders to see it.
August 2025	Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire	A rare sighting in the west, ranging widely over the Severn estuary.
Winter 2025/26	Ludham/Horsey, Norfolk	A settled individual has spent the winter in the Norfolk Broads.

The species has been expanding its range across Europe. After colonising Spain and Portugal in the 20th century, it began breeding in France in the 1990s and has recently reached the Netherlands. Bird experts believe it is only a matter of time before they are found breeding in the UK, as the warmer British summers and abundance of voles in coastal marshes provide an ideal habitat.

My first view of the Norfolk bird, near St Benet's abbey, Ludham, was at extreme distance. In fact it ws so far way I couldn't see it without the camera, and, of course, it was facing away from me.

The bird has moved closer to Hickling Broad and gave much better views yesterday (20/01/26).  While it did not come particularly close, it really is a fantastic looking bird, with very striking red eyes when the sun is shining directly onto them.