Black-shouldered kite

    Elanus caeruleus

Castilian: Elanio común

Catalan: Esparver d´espatlles negres

Gallego: Lagarteiro cincento

Euskera: Elano urdina

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Falconiformes

Family: Accipitridae

Migratory status: Permanent resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

On the National List of Threatened Species, it appears in the “Of Special Interest” category. In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Near Threatened”.

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THREATS

The principal threat is habitat alteration due to changes in farming methods (intensification or mechanization) and in availability of prey. Unnatural deaths such as those caused by illegal hunting and being run over by vehicles should also be taken into account.

Length / size: 31-36 cm / 71-85 cm

Identification: Small bird of prey, generally grey in colour, with black shoulders and white underparts and wing tips, in constrast with its red eyes. The Rapaz de pequeño tamaño, en general de color gris, con los hombros negros y la parte inferior y los extremos alares blancos en contraste con los ojos rojos. Juveniles present a scaly-looking back and cream-coloured chest and head. It is common to see it hovering, and when it glides it slightly lifts its wings.

Song: Nearly silent, it makes a penetrating "cree arh"; its alarm cry is a whistle.

Diet: It feeds on small mammals related to grain farming, such as mice, small moles, and shrews.

Reproduction: Breeding begins between February and May and the eggs are laid throughout much of the year, depending on the weather in the period prior to laying and the availability of prey. The nest, made of small branches, roots and grass, is built each year, but the bird can use the same tree for several seasons. It prefers oak trees, although it can also nest in cork oaks, olive trees, etc.

HABITAT

It occupies open spaces where there are scattered trees (holly oaks, Portuguese oaks, oaks), and normally dry farmland with pastureland or brooms.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: It reproduces in Andalusia, Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, Basque Country, Aragon and Catalonia.

In Castile and León: It is rarely and unevenly distributed throughout the entire community except for the northeastern part. The most stable populations are found in Salamanca and Zamora.

Movements and migrations: Short movements of Iberian populations toward the south, to the meadows of the Rivers Tajo and Guadiana, have been observed.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of 1000 breeding pairs.

In Castile and León: The population size is unknown, but there is an average of 70-120 breeding pairs.