Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence under 20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (over 30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. The status of this species was recently reassessed against the IUCN Red List criteria at national level for the Action Plan for Australian Birds 2020 (Garnet and Baker 2021), and not found to approach or meet the thresholds for threatened status, thereby supporting its continuing treatment as globally Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population is estimated to number > c.100,000 individuals (Ferguson-Lees et al. 2001), while national population sizes have been estimated at < c.10,000 breeding pairs in China and < c.100 breeding pairs in Taiwan (Brazil 2009). Clearance for agriculture has lead to an increase in suitable habitat and growing populations of prey species such as house mice (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001).
Trend justification
Clearance for agriculture has lead to an increase in suitable habitat and growing populations of prey species such as house mice (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001).
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
Contributors
Garnett, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-shouldered-kite-elanus-axillaris on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.