Background / Introduction

KFBG is the first organisation in Hong Kong to introduce wing tagging as a method for monitoring black kites, with the first wing tags already employed on one individual bird. The black kite is the most common diurnal raptor in Hong Kong.

Over the past 25 years of rescue work, KFBG has received 423 kites, of which 255 have been successfully released: a commendable release rate by international wildlife rehabilitation standards of 60%. However, as is common with many centres, post-release survival data is lacking.

Wing tagging is an effective and safe method for ecologists and conservationists to retrieve data about animal movements, migration, nesting/breeding patterns, localities and growth rates, and territoriality. Rescue centres involved in wildlife rehabilitation and reintroduction may consider this technique a useful way to monitor post-release survival and behaviour.