The yellow-billed kite has been considered a subspecies of the black kite, but recent DNA testing suggests that it is a separate species. It is found in much of sub-Saharan Africa and is recognized by its entirely yellow bill. It is a brown bird with rusty streaked underparts and yellow legs and feet. We encountered this bird at the hippo pool in Ngorongoro Crater where it aggressively swooped down and stole sandwiches from visitors eating lunch in one of the few areas in the crater where you could get out of the vehicle and walk around.
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| Yellow-billed kite |
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| Photo by John Mirau |
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| Photo by Steven Shuel |
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| Photo by Steven Shuel |
This bird makes the most aggressive California seagulls seem tame. It was like being part of Hitchcock's The Birds.
ReplyDeleteHe looks like a big bird. I think I'd meekly hand him my sandwich if he wanted it.
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