Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789).

Length 33 cm. This is a smallish bird of prey characterized by its grey and white coloring and a variably sized black shoulder patches; the wings are long and the tail is square; the bill and feet are small. The Black-shouldered Kite lives in open farmland with scattered shrubs and trees, eating small mammals and birds together with some insects that are caught on the wing. The nest is a platform of sticks and weeds, lined with grass, and built in a tree. Three to five eggs are laid at intervals of 2-3 days and are incubated for about 26 days. This bird had formerly decreased in numbers but has recently increased its range and density. It is found in the Nile Valley and Delta.