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Square-tailed Kite

(Lophoictinia isura)
Size: 50-55 cm; wing span 1.3-1.45 m

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

The range of Square-tailed Kites is somewhat patchy. They are generally rare and therefore hard to spot systematically in a certain location. Their range basically includes the eastern half of the Australian continent plus the tropical north and most of the NT, plus the western half of WA and the Kimberleys. They are not found in Tasmania, the eastern half of WA and most of SA.

Square-tailed Kites hunt predominantly in open woodland, such as e.g. scattered residual tree populations on paddocks, but also along creek and riverbeds.

Sightings

We have spotted Square-tailed Kites only a few times so far; first in October 2006, while driving across the Nandewar Range east of Narrabri, NSW. Its identification is certain, because a second, unfocused photo of the same bird (not shown here) clearly shows the typical colour pattern, plus the black-tipped square tail.

Later, in December 2008, a bird was spotted by us 20 km west of Narrabri, NSW.

Seen also at Urunga Heads, NSW, from the Urunga boardwalk, above mangrove swamps, in July 2009.

In April 2011 a bird was observed by us near Quambone, NSW.

Photos

Square-tailed Kite seen from underneath

Possibly the same immature bird as above, 2.5 months later, now in flight

Again, in flight

Food

All raptors are carnivores. In addition to other prey, Square-tailed Kites will also take nestlings of smaller bird species.