This shows a pair mating. Birds such as these 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 this population
embedded within the migrans group. These Black-eared types are described as paler, with a more contrasting
dark cheek patch, bluish cere, shallow tail fork, and conspicuous white underwing patches 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
The Yellow-billed group is sometimes recognized as a separate species. 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.
Johnson, J. A., et al. (2005). Prioritizing species conservation: does the Cape Verde kite exist? Proc. Roy. Soc. B 272: 1365–1371
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.
Scheider, J., Wink, M., Stubbe, M., Hille, S., & Wiltschko, W. (2004). Phylogeographic relationships of the Black Kite Milvus migrans. Pages 467–472 in Chancellor, R. D., & Meyburg, B-U. [eds.], Raptors worldwide: proceedings of the VI World Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls. World Working Goup on Birds of Prey, Berlin, Germany.