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Whistling Kite

(Haliastur sphenurus)
Alternative name: "Whistling Hawk"
Aboriginal name: "kirrkie"
Size: male 50 cm, female 65 cm; wing span up to 1.7 m

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Whistling Kites are found basically anywhere on the Australian continent. Found also in the north-east of Tasmania. They are rarest in the most arid part of the continent, from about the Pilbara region in WA to the Nullarbor, where they probably venture only in good years, when prey is in abundance.

Whistling Kites hunt above both land and water and are therefore found not only in open forest and grasslands, but also above various types of wetlands, such as rivers and lakes.

Sightings

One can see Whistling Kites frequently in the area of Narrabri, NSW. Whistling Kites are one of the most common types of raptor seen by us in inland NSW; often found scavenging at the local rubbish tip.

Regularly spotted by us above paddocks while driving by. Also seen on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008.

In July 2010 a nesting pair took up permanent residency at Narrabri Lake.

Note how the colour pattern depends on the angle of the infalling sunlight (more so than noticeable in other bird species).

Seen by us in October 2008 having a go at a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.

Photos

Near-frontal view of a Whistling Kite

Approaching Whistling Kite seen from almost straight underneath

Whistling Kite seen from behind

Soaring Whistling Kite

Whistling Kite in flight

Whistling Kite with the day's catch in its talons

Here after another successful hunt, this time carrying away a chick

Lateral view of a Whistling Kite in flight

Whistling Kite trying to gain height with powerful wing beats

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite

The same bird as above, the same perch on the same day, but with the sunlight slanting at a different angle

Lateral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite waiting to be fed

Here the young bird can be seen on a low branch, at a more favourable angle

Immature bird preening after having a bath (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Breeding information

Breeding season: Jul - Nov Eggs: 1 - 3 Incubation period: 40 days Fledging age: ca. 56 days

The breeding season depends significantly on geographical latitude. In the tropical north Whistling Kites breed Feb - Sep. Given the right conditions, Whistling Kites can thus breed any time of the year.

Nest

Type: Basket Material: Sticks, lined with fresh leaves Height above ground: 10 - 30 m

The nest shown below was found about 20 m above ground in a huge river red gum, on the bank of a creek, close to a major highway in an urban environment.

Whistling Kite on its nest

Here the partner bringing new nesting material

Eggs

Size: 55 x 43 mm Colour: Light red-brown, with darker red-brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Nomadic/dispersive Elementary unit: Pair

Whistling Kites are the clean-up brigade in many places. In 2005 we observed a family of four hunting - two soaring high with an overview, two coming in low above the trees - they found the carcass of a still-born lamb, on which they then fed.

Narrabri Lake hosts a lot of waterbirds, such as Egrets, Ibises and Spoonbills and various types of Cormorants and water hens. The area is also the territory of a pair of Whistling Kites.

Food

All raptors are carnivores. Whistling Kites feed on small mammals and also birds (e.g. the young of any kind of waterhen). They also scavenge on carrion and are often found around rubbish tips.