Birds such as this from Central and East Asia, M. m. lineatus are sometimes split under the name Black-eared
Kite, but such split is not well supported by genetics which appears to show it embedded in within the migrans
group. These Black-eared types are paler, with a more contrasting dark cheek patch, bluish cere, shallow tail fork,
and conspicuous white underwing patches This bird is a juvenile showing heavy streaking on body and wing coverts.
This species may be divided into three polytypic groups:
- Black [migrans Group] - Partly migratory; Palearctic to India
- Black-eared [lineatus/formosanus] - Highly migratory; East Asia
- Yellow-billed [aegyptius/parasitus] - Partly migratory; Africa
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS.
References:
DeCandido, R., Subedi, t., Siponen, M., Sutasha, K., Pierce, A., Nualsri, C. & Round, P.D. (2013) Flight
identification of Milvus migrans lineatus 'Black-eared' Kite and Milvus migrans govinda 'Pariah'
Kite in Nepal and Thailand. BirdingASIA 20:32-36
Orta, J., Marks, J.S., Garcia, E.F.J. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Black Kite (Milvus migrans). In: del Hoyo,
J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive.
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/52978
on 26 March 2019).
Rasmussen, P.C. & Anderton, J.C. (2012) Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Vols. 1 and 2. Second Edition.
Smithsonian Institution. Michigan State University & Lynx Edicions, Washington. D.C., Michigan & Barcelona.