National Grade I Protected Animal List 52 – White-Shouldered Kite

White-shouldered Kite (scientific name: Aquila heliaca): also known as 'Imperial Kite', is a large raptor. Body length 73-84 cm. The plumage is mostly black-brown, with the head and neck lighter in color, and the shoulders have prominent white markings which are very conspicuous on the black-brown plumage, allowing it to be easily distinguished from other kites. When gliding, the wings are straight and upright, and during both gliding and soaring, the wings are not raised into a 'V' shape; simultaneously, the tail feathers are tightly folded, not spread out, making the tail appear narrow and long. Young birds have a yellowish-brown head, the back has yellowish-brown spots, and when flying, the tail is often spread out into a fan shape.

It inhabits mountainous forest areas below an altitude of 2000 meters, particularly preferring mixed forests and deciduous forests, and is often solitary. It either soars in the air or rests for extended periods on isolated trees in open areas or on rocks and the ground. Its main food sources include rodents, hares, pheasants, partridges, (quǎn chūn), wild ducks, and domestic fowl. It breeds from Morocco, Spain, West and Northwest Africa, and Southern and Eastern Europe, to the East to Baikal Lake, Northeast Iran, Northern India, and Northwest China. It winters in Northeast Africa and India, occasionally in Korea and Japan.