First known case of carcass guarding by Black Kite Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) in urban landscape, north India

Abstract

Behavioral traits of the species play an important role in functioning of the ecosystem and thus, biodiversity conservation and in evolving behavioural adaptations to survive according to environmental conditions. This note aims at adding a rare observation by placing photographic evidence of entanglement of a carcass of juvenile black kite Milvus migrans from the nest bowl and use of nest by an adult individual, guarding the carcass. Documenting such behavior and responses of species, underpinning the species’ ecology, especially in context of changing climatic conditions, would thus contributes towards the natural history and management of native species in an urban environment. Further, scientific studies are needed to be conducted to reach some conclusion as to why species perform such behaviour.