Birdwatching in Thailand: The gray kite (Elanus caeruleus)

The gray kite is a type of bird of prey. This species is one of Thailand's most common raptors and is quite striking in appearance making identification not a problem. However, the bird often remains inactive for most of the day, sitting on a post and usually hunts in the late afternoon.

The gray kite is a bird of prey and is also called the "little tree falcon" because of its habit of hunting from trees. The gray kite is about 40 cm tall and has a slim build with long, thin wings and tail. The male has a gray back, wings and tail, and a white breast with dark spots. The female is larger and has a brown back and wings, and a white breast with dark spots. It can often be seen walking on the ground or hunting from trees.

In Thailand, the gray kite is a fairly common bird and is not endangered. It can often be seen in wooded areas and parks in urban areas.

The name suggests a relationship with other kites such as the black kite, but this kite, together with the Australian gray kite, American gray kite and the letter kite, forms a separate group within the family of hawk-like birds of prey. The gray kite is found in Africa and tropical Asia, but spreads over southern Europe.

The species is found in North Africa and Africa south of the Sahara and further in South Asia and Southeast Asia up to the Philippines. From Africa, the bird gradually advances to Europe and is regularly seen in Spain and Portugal. The gray kite is mainly found in savannas, grassland and agricultural areas and preys mainly on small mammals and reptiles, from trees, telephone poles and telephone wires.