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− | + | '''Black-shouldered Kite''' redirects here. For the species ''Elanus caeruleus'', see '''[[Black-winged Kite]]'''<br /> | |
'''Alternative Name: Australian Kite''' | '''Alternative Name: Australian Kite''' | ||
− | [[Image:Black-shouldered_Kite.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Black-shouldered_Kite.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|Neil|Neil Fifer}}<br />Near Sydney, [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]], December 2003]] |
;[[:Category:Elanus|Elanus]] axillaris | ;[[:Category:Elanus|Elanus]] axillaris | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
35 to 38 cm in length and have a wingspan of between 80 and 95 cm.<br /> | 35 to 38 cm in length and have a wingspan of between 80 and 95 cm.<br /> | ||
Adult Black-shouldered Kites are pale grey with a white head and white underparts. The leading edge of the inner wing is black which is visible when perched and the reason for their name. | Adult Black-shouldered Kites are pale grey with a white head and white underparts. The leading edge of the inner wing is black which is visible when perched and the reason for their name. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Similar species=== | ||
+ | [[Letter-winged Kite]] is the same size. It has a black mask which does not extend behind the eye (Black-shouldered's does). Its distinctive black underwing pattern extends to all coverts to give a fully black "arm": the black of Black-shouldered is restricted to the primaries and their coverts. In other parts of the world, other [[Elanus]] are similar. | ||
+ | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Present species is endemic to [[Australia]]. | Present species is endemic to [[Australia]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
[[Image:BSKF-BF.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|aussietrev|aussietrev }}<br />Gold Coast, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]]] | [[Image:BSKF-BF.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|aussietrev|aussietrev }}<br />Gold Coast, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]]] | ||
− | This is a [[Dictionary_M- | + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. |
+ | |||
+ | This taxon has been split from ''Elanus caeruleus'' (of [[Africa]] and [[Eurasia]]) which is called [[Black-winged Kite]] in Opus. One additional species from the same complex is [[White-tailed Kite]] (''Elanus leucurus''). However, several taxonomic authorities still use the name Black-shouldered Kite for ''Elanus caeruleus'', and Australian Kite for the present species. There is therefore a lot of confusion in the naming of these species. | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Open woodland and grasslands; coastal sand dunes and salt marshes. Gardens, roadsides, sewage farms; overgrown scrub land | Open woodland and grasslands; coastal sand dunes and salt marshes. Gardens, roadsides, sewage farms; overgrown scrub land | ||
+ | ==Behaviour== | ||
[[Image:Kite2 b.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|bryanhj|bryanhj}}<br />Sydney Olympic Park, [[New South Wales]], October 2007 ]] | [[Image:Kite2 b.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|bryanhj|bryanhj}}<br />Sydney Olympic Park, [[New South Wales]], October 2007 ]] | ||
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The diet consists mostly of mice. Grasshoppers, rats, small reptiles, and birds, are also taken. | The diet consists mostly of mice. Grasshoppers, rats, small reptiles, and birds, are also taken. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
− | {{GSearch|Elanus+axillaris}} | + | {{GSearch|"Elanus+axillaris" {{!}} "Black-shouldered Kite" {{!}} "Australian Kite" {{!}} "Australian Black-shouldered Kite" {{!}} "Black shouldered Kite"}} |
− | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Elanus]] | + | {{GS-checked}}1 |
+ | {{VSearch|"Elanus+axillaris" {{!}} "Black-shouldered Kite" {{!}} "Australian Kite" {{!}} "Australian Black-shouldered Kite" {{!}} "Black shouldered Kite"}} | ||
+ | {{GS-checked}}1 | ||
+ | <br /> | ||
+ | <br /> | ||
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+ | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Elanus]] [[Category:Videos]] |
Latest revision as of 05:10, 1 May 2024
Black-shouldered Kite redirects here. For the species Elanus caeruleus, see Black-winged Kite
Alternative Name: Australian Kite
- Elanus axillaris
Identification
35 to 38 cm in length and have a wingspan of between 80 and 95 cm.
Adult Black-shouldered Kites are pale grey with a white head and white underparts. The leading edge of the inner wing is black which is visible when perched and the reason for their name.
Similar species
Letter-winged Kite is the same size. It has a black mask which does not extend behind the eye (Black-shouldered's does). Its distinctive black underwing pattern extends to all coverts to give a fully black "arm": the black of Black-shouldered is restricted to the primaries and their coverts. In other parts of the world, other Elanus are similar.
Distribution
Present species is endemic to Australia.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
This taxon has been split from Elanus caeruleus (of Africa and Eurasia) which is called Black-winged Kite in Opus. One additional species from the same complex is White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus). However, several taxonomic authorities still use the name Black-shouldered Kite for Elanus caeruleus, and Australian Kite for the present species. There is therefore a lot of confusion in the naming of these species.
Habitat
Open woodland and grasslands; coastal sand dunes and salt marshes. Gardens, roadsides, sewage farms; overgrown scrub land
Behaviour
The diet consists mostly of mice. Grasshoppers, rats, small reptiles, and birds, are also taken.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Wikipedia
- BF Member Observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Black-shouldered Kite. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black-shouldered_Kite
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1