Urban Guerrilla -The Black Shouldered Kite

Pics : 1, 3, 6,8 - Jhalana National Park | Pics : 2, 4,5,7 - Kanha National Park

When I read up on different species that inhabit our planet, the most common status I see is “population stable” or “population declining”. The effect of the Master Race is widespread and part of the survival game of the different species. It’s rare to find a non insect or rodent that has used the success of the humans to its advantage not by aligning itself to us, (like the domestics) but by living by his own terms and using the effect of humans to his own advantage.

The Black Shouldered Kite. Population. On the Rise.

I first saw one of these guys in Kanha National Park in 2018 and fell in love. I’d never seen such beautiful, gem like red eyes, set on gorgeous white feathers with ornate grey, black decorations on the shoulder and wings. I was gaping as I followed its flight behind my lens. These guys are raptors, ie, birds of prey with talons but unlike other raptors like eagles and owls they are much smaller.

Just as how urban combat requires a different kind of weapon, the assault rifle, the black shouldered kite, with his assets has made it his business to raid some of the benefactors of the success of humans. Like the rodents. These guys live the guerilla warfare life around our habitats and we rarely ever see them because they’re in and out fast. People have tried to domesticate them and apparently they’re a lot more free willed than others. You find instances where trainers take the pain to do it, but the kite isn’t a raven or pigeon.

Many guys who do what I do for a hobby find the rarest species they have found to be their favorite. For me, it’s the Leopard and The Black Shouldered Kite so far because I admire their adaptability to a changing environment. The reason for their success despite all the handicaps that nature has endowed them with is fascinating and when they do it all while looking so damn good. Just look at those hypnotizing red eyes. Who wouldn’t root for this guy?