David Tipling / Black-shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris) in flight, Hula Reserve, Northern Israel.

Magnus Lundgren / Wild Wonders of China / Black kite (Milvus migrans) flying around the old pier in Sai Kung harbour, Hong Kong, China.

Francisco Marquez / Black kites (Milvus migrans) flying over Magala Guddo Market where they scavenge discarded food, Harar, Ethiopia, February 2008.

Francisco Marquez / Black kites (Milvus migrans) flying over Magala Guddo Market where they scavenge discarded food, Harar, Ethiopia, February 2008.

Winfried Wisniewski / Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Extremadura, Spain

Winfried Wisniewski / Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Castile-La Mancha, Spain

Andres M. Dominguez / Black shouldered kite (Elanus caeruleus) perched on branch, yawning, Donana Natural Park, southern Spain, December.

Chris Gomersall / Black-shouldered kite (Elanus caeruleus) adult pair engaged in food pass. Male (above) delivering vole to female. Hula Valley, Israel. January

Chris Gomersall / Black kites (Milvus migrans) perched on agricultural irrigation pipes. Hula Valley, Israel. November.

Chris Gomersall / Black kites (Milvus migrans) gathering at a landfill site. Negev desert, Israel. January.

Chris Gomersall / Murmuration of common starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) surrounded by black kites (Milvus migrans). Negev desert, Israel. January.

Richard Du Toit / Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) taking flight, De Mond Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa