jwyoerger

Is the black-winged kite (E. caeruleus) different from a black-shouldered kite (E. axillaris)? Both names are listed on ebird checklists, but the Birds of Hong Kong and South China book only lists the black-winged kite. I could definitely benefit from an explanation. I'm 98% positive I saw one in Mai Po on Sunday.

John Holmes

E. caeruleus and E. axillaris have been split, as you might have guessed.

HK gets E. caeruleus as seen from "Birds of HK and South China", now properly named "Black-winged Kite" but it is named "Black-shouldered Kite" in older editions of the book, i.e. those published before the split.

The bird NOW known as "Black-shouldered Kite" is an Australian endemic.