Black-winged Kite

Small and distinctive falconlike kite. Light underneath, blue-gray above with conspicuous black shoulders formed by black wing coverts. Juveniles have a scaly back and brownish-washed breast. Found in open savannah, semi-desert, and agricultural lands with scattered woods; frequently seen on exposed perches. Varied flight style, hovering like a kestrel or gliding like a harrier with deep wingbeats and raised wings.

The black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus) in Sri Lanka is found in open areas, including grasslands, paddy fields, and Patana lands. They are also sometimes seen in dry lowlands and hills.

The black-winged kite's diet includes small mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. They are carnivorous and are known to hunt in grasslands, savannas, and semi-deserts.