Mohammed H. Altalhi, Abdelwahab Chedad, Nuwayyir Mohammad Alshammari, Abdulaziz M. Al-Qahtani, Hazem A. Al-Asmari, Abdulrahaman S. Alzahrani, Hussein H. Alkhamis, Abdullah M. Alowaifeer, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaeic

Breeding range expansion of the Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus): evidence from the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, Saudi Arabia 

Abstract Between January and May 2025, fieldwork conducted in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, supplemented by data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), revealed new insights into the distribution and breeding behaviour of the Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) in Saudi Arabia. Observations confirmed the presence of both juvenile and adult individuals across seasons and led to the discovery of an active nest containing three eggs in a Ziziphus tree, providing concrete evidence of local breeding. The species was primarily observed in habitats in Al-Rawdah characterized by dense Ziziphus stands and surrounding open areas that support rodent populations its primary prey. National occurrence data (n = 220) highlighted seasonal trends, with peaks in March and October, suggesting a partially migratory cycle that combines local reproduction with irruptive dispersal. These findings confirm a significant expansion of the species nesting range, facilitated by habitat availability, increased prey abundance linked to land-use changes, and the establishment of protected areas. The study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring, adaptive habitat management, and the integration of new breeding sites into conservation frameworks to support the sustainable expansion of the species in the region.

Doi https://doi.org/10.35513/21658005.2025.2.9

Keywords Elanus caeruleus; range expansion; breeding; climate change; Saudi Arabia

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