Black kites in Delhi, India, reveal a striking story of urban wildlife survival as thousands of raptors thrive above one of the world’s busiest cities. This report follows scientists tagging young birds high in the treetops, tracking how they adapt to shrinking green spaces, extreme weather and human activity. From centuries-old feeding rituals to sprawling landfill sites, these birds play a vital role in cleaning the city by consuming waste. But habitat loss and climate pressures threaten their future. A close encounter with a swooping kite becomes a powerful reminder of how humans and wildlife are tightly intertwined in the urban ecosystem.