Black kites are among the world's most abundant raptors and thrive in Indian cities, but face welfare threats from electrocution on poorly insulated power lines, kite flying string injuries, and secondary poisoning.
Black kites lacerated by manja suffer severe wing and leg injuries that impair flight — injured birds are found grounded in city streets far from rehabilitation capacity. Power line electrocution causes immediate death or severe burns and spinal injury. Birds that survive electrocution with wing injuries require extended rehabilitation and may not regain flight ability. Secondary rodenticide poisoning causes neurological symptoms and internal haemorrhage over days. Urban kites that become dependent on refuse feeding and lose wariness of humans are more vulnerable to all these threats.