Login | Sign Up

News Satire People Food Other

Graceful, Versatile, Opportunistic Predator… Whistling Kite

By Keith Hutton on September 20, 2013 in Other

Photo: David Webb

Photo: David Webb

Whistling Kites are moderately common in the Sydney region. They may be seen circling gracefully in the sky alone, in pairs or in small groups, often along highways in more rural areas, searching for road kills to feed on. They call frequently in flight, or when perched – an unmistakeable, long, clear descending whistle followed by four to eight short staccato notes ascending the scale again. They are among the birds of prey most likely to be observed or heard over the whole of Australia, but they are seen hunting less often in Sydney than the smaller, more numerous Black-shouldered Kites and kestrels.

Whistling Kites are large birds of prey that are usually seen in flight, when they show dull brown upperparts and underwings with a diagnostic pattern. Their wings are long and broad with prominent dark fingers, and their long tails are very pale and rounded. Direct flight is laboured and heavy; characteristically they soar and wheel in the sky with bowed wings, buoyantly, lazily, and with little apparent effort. When perched they appear sombre and hunched, sandy brown with a small paler head and shoulders, and no facial expression nor real distinguishing marks.

Whistling Kites are generally resident or locally nomadic, but in some areas they migrate more or less regularly depending on season and climate conditions; some move north in winter and return in summer, while some in the south east move towards the coast in autumn and winter. They are seen throughout Australia but are scarce in Tasmania, and they also inhabit Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. Well-watered areas with higher rainfall both in coastal and inland regions are preferred, and suitable habitats include woodlands, waterways, seashores, swamps, lakes, parks, estuaries, pasture and croplands.

Mammals make up most of the dietary intake for Whistling Kites with birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects also on the menu. Whistling kites are both scavengers and active hunters. They soar in loose low circles searching for food then dive down and snatch prey from vegetation, water surfaces or shorelines without landing. They also gather at carcases and wait impatiently near fresh kills for scraps from larger predators.

Whistling Kites are generally quite common and sometimes abundant in preferred habitats, especially in the tropical north, but may be rare or absent in areas with inadequate water. As a consequence of the development of agriculture and irrigation, and following the introduction of rabbits, they probably increased in numbers. However, there was a significant overall decline over the last 30 years of last century associated with considerable variation between regions. This reduction was possibly related to inconsistent dry conditions and may prove to be only a temporary setback for such a widespread, versatile and opportunistic predator.

The Beast.