Haliastur indus
Brahminy Kite
©Marj Kibby: Brahminy Kite
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Accipitriformes
Family
Accipitridae
Genus
Haliastur
Species
Haliastur indus
Status
least concern
Colours
Distinguishing features
The Brahminy Kite is a medium-sized raptor. As an adult, it has a white head, breast and tail tip, while the rest of the body is chestnut brown in colour. The very tip of its tail is white. The wings are broad and have with dark wing tips that spread out like fingers. The tail is short. The legs are short and free of feathers. The eye is dark and the lemon yellow coloured bill is strongly hooked.
Size
- From 48 cm to 51 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Females
- From 45 cm to 49 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Males
Wingspan
- From 109 cm to 124 cm
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
Whistling Kite (species: Haliastur sphenurus)
Juvenile Brahminy Kites can be confused with mature Whistling Kites though the Whistling Kites have longer tails and a distinctive underwing pattern. -
Animalia:
Eastern Osprey (species: Pandion cristatus)
First-year juvenile Brahminy Kites may also be mistaken for Ospreys, but are dark underneath rather than white.
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Behaviour
The Brahminy Kite glides on level wings along shorelines and mudflats.
Diet
It is primarily a scavenger, feeding mainly on dead fish and crabs, especially in wetlands and marshland but occasionally hunts live prey such as hares and bats.
It may also indulge in kleptoparasitism and attempt to steal prey from other birds. (Wikipedia)
