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Black-shouldered Kite - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 00:22, 23 October 2007 by KCFoggin (talk | contribs)
Elanus axillaris
Photo by Neil Fifer. Photographed near Sydney, Australia.

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.

Distribution

Present species is endemic to Australia.

Taxonomy

Also known as Australian Kite. This taxon has been split from Elanus caeruleus which is called Black-winged Kite in Opus, however, several taxonomic authorities still use the name Black-shouldered Kite for Elanus caeruleus. There is therefore lots of confusion in the naming of these species.

Habitat

Behaviour

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