Whistling Kite

The Whistling Kite ranges in size from 50–60 cm, with a wingspan between 123–146 cm. Whistling Kites soar on slightly bowed wings, with their long flight feathers often well-splayed. The striking pattern on their underwings is distinctive.

The Whistling Kite is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) is a medium-sized diurnal raptor found throughout Australia (including coastal islands), New Caledonia and much of New Guinea (excluding the central mountains and the northwest). Also sometimes erroneously called Whistling Eagle or Whistling Hawk, it is named for its loud whistling call, which it often gives in flight. Some authorities put this species in the genus Milvus, despite marked differences in behaviour, voice and plumage between this species and other members of that genus. More

One can see Whistling Kites frequently in the area of Narrabri, New South Wales. The ones shown below were seen in winter, soaring above paddocks. Whistling Kites are one of the most common types of raptor seen by us at the local garbage tip. Regularly spotted by us above paddocks while driving by. Also seen on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008. More

The Whistling Kite ranges in size from 50–60 cm, with a wingspan between 123–146 cm. Weights range from 380–1050 g. As with most raptors, females are larger and heavier than males; though there is considerable overlap between the sexes, females can be up to 21% larger and 42% heavier. Southern birds are also larger than those found in the tropics. Male and female plumages are the same. More

Whistling Kite on a branch. Whistling Kite on a branch. Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers © K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers Whistling Kite, fledgling. Whistling Kite, fledgling. Photo: SG Lane Collection © Australian Museum Whistling Kite. Whistling Kite. More

* A whistling kite devouring something up in a tree (Kakadu) A whistling kite devouring som... * Whistling Kite at Yellow Water Whistling Kite at Yellow Water * whistling kite whistling kite * Whistling Kite (32) - Pat Turner, just after his tick. Oct. 2003 Whistling Kite (32) - Pat Turn... More

Whistling Kite is a graceful bird. It flaps with slow wing-beats and when gliding holds its wings horizontally but bowed downwards at the tip. As it flies it sometimes utters its loud whistling call but it does not twist its tail when manoeuvring. Habitat The Whistling Kite is found throughout Australia, but it is most common in open wooded country near swamps, rivers, or the coast. More

lives, Whistling Kites have bone-colored legs and feet, which are unfeathered. Overall, the Whistling Kite looks small-headed and long-tailed, with wingtips falling well short of the tail tip when the bird is perched. Though its legs are short, the bird walks easily on the ground. Whistling Kites soar on slightly bowed wings, with their long flight feathers often well-splayed. The striking pattern on their underwings (see photos in the Photo Gallery section below) is distinctive. More

Whistling kite Size: 52-59cm Habitat: Distributed Australia wide, this raptor can be seen soaring over grasslands, woodlands, swamp, plains and seashores. Feeds on carrion, fish, small mammals and other birds. Notes: Head, chest and belly light brown with pale streaks, wings dark brown, long rounded tail in flight. Breeds Winter-Spring. For more information on Whistling kite see references. Images have been uploaded in low resolution for storage efficiency, ( they do not reflect the true image quality). Original images are high quality photographic files. More

The Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) often has a “scruffy” appearance to its gingery-brown feathers. It can be seen soaring in haphazard circles, with its widely fingered wingtips and fanned tail visible. Adaptations - In drought periods, the usually sedentary Whistling Kite will become nomadic to follow food sources. Being a scavenger and eating any kind of carrion (dead meat), also means that it is more adaptable during drought periods when food is scarce. More

The Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) is found throughout Australia and is a member of the family Accipitridae, along with other birds of prey. It has a distinctive M-shaped pattern of pale feathers when viewed from underneath during flight. More

The Whistling Kite is named for its call: a shrill, descending whistle, followed by a mad cackle of around four to seven descending notes. Whistling Kites are found all across mainland Australia with only a few pairs in Tasmania. Like their cousins, the Black Kites, Whistling Kites are carrion eaters, but being a larger, more aggressive bird, the proportion of hunted food in their diet is higher than that of the Black Kites. More

Whistling kites are always circling over this reserve. This is a good spot to see scarlet honeyeaters in winter. Plants of interest Wide diversity of wildflowers in sedge wetlands including grass trees Xanthorrhoea fulva, swamp banksia Banksia robur, wallum banksia Banksia aemula, wallum bottlebrush Callistemon pachyphyllus, Leptospermums, heath, the tall saw leafed sedge Gahnia sieberiana and yellow pea flowers. More

calls of Whistling Kites, with the frequency of mimicry increasing as the breeding season progresses. The function of this mimicry is unknown. Habitat A species of open or lightly wooded areas, Whistling Kites are typically found near water, at elevations ranging from sea level to 1400 meters. More

The Whistling Kite is a large bird of prey almost the size of an eagle. They are found throughout Australia and are commonly seen hunting over coastal dunes and inland woodlands. Their name comes from the loud, whistling calls they make. More

The Whistling Kite is a medium sized bird of prey. It has light brown head and underparts, with pale streaks, and dark sandy-brown wings with paler undersides Size 55cm, wingspan of 120 cm to 145 cm Habitat woodlands, open country, wetlands, farmland Food mammals, birds, fish and insects, also carrion Breeding bulky nest platform is built of sticks in a tall tree. Lays 1-3 eggs. More

A Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), photographed at Moira Lake in NSW. EXIF: Canon EOS 50D : 1/800 sec : f/5.6 : 400 mm : ISO 160 Categories: Photoblogs.org - The Photoblogging Resource View My Profile coolphotoblogs.com Birding Top 500 Counter VFXY Photos Vazaar photo blogs, top photoblogs 3760105 visitors | 1000 photos | RSS 2. More

Whistling Kites can be found all over Australia but particularly in the warmer parts of NT and WA. They are rarely seen in Tasmania and the more arid parts of Australia. They are also found in Papua New Guinea and some pacific islands. Whistling kites are found in a variety of habitats but particularly in open wood and grassland areas close to the coast. More

Whistling Kite at Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge - 4 Comments »Thursday May 17th, 2007 Whistling Kite Whistling Kite A few days ago we had a picnic lunch at Swanport Reserve. This reserve is about a ten minute drive from home. It is about five kilometres south of the CBD of Murray Bridge. This pleasant reserve is a favourite of many locals for ‘picnics, barbecues, fishing and it has become one of my favourite birding spots. More