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Difference between revisions of "Whistling Kite" - BirdForum Opus

(Imp sizes. Clearer flight picture. References updated)
(→‎External Links: Multiple GSearches combined)
 
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[[Image:5419whistling kite.JPG|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|joe+cockram|joe cockram}}<br />[[Kakadu National Park]], [[Australia]], July 2006]]
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[[Image:5419whistling kite.JPG|thumb|500px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|joe+cockram|joe cockram}}<br />[[Kakadu National Park]], [[Australia]], July 2006]]
 
;[[:Category:Haliastur|Haliastur]] sphenurus
 
;[[:Category:Haliastur|Haliastur]] sphenurus
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
 +
[[Image:IMG 54921.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Woom|Woom}}<br />Lake Mulwala, [[Victoria]], May 2015]]
 
51–59 cm (20-23¼ in)<br />
 
51–59 cm (20-23¼ in)<br />
 
*Pale buff head, breast and tail
 
*Pale buff head, breast and tail
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'''Immature''' birds are a heavily-streaked rufous-brown with prominent pale wing spots
 
'''Immature''' birds are a heavily-streaked rufous-brown with prominent pale wing spots
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
[[Image:IMG 54921.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|Woom|Woom}}<br />Lake Mulwala, [[Victoria]], May 2015]]
 
 
[[Australasia]]: Breeds in eastern [[New Guinea]], [[New Caledonia]] and widely distributed in [[Australia]] where it occurs virtually throughout the mainland.
 
[[Australasia]]: Breeds in eastern [[New Guinea]], [[New Caledonia]] and widely distributed in [[Australia]] where it occurs virtually throughout the mainland.
  
Line 16: Line 16:
  
 
Vagrants recorded on [[Tasmania]] and King Island.
 
Vagrants recorded on [[Tasmania]] and King Island.
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>.
 
This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>.
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 +
[[Image:Whistling Kite 1 of 1 .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|Ken+Doy|Ken Doy}}<br />Eagleby, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], June 2018]]
 
Open woodland, grassland with scattered trees, lakesides, swamps and riverine woodland.
 
Open woodland, grassland with scattered trees, lakesides, swamps and riverine woodland.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
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The diet consists of small mammals (particularly rabbits), birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, insects and carrion (especially important in the winter months).
 
The diet consists of small mammals (particularly rabbits), birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, insects and carrion (especially important in the winter months).
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
[[Image:Whistling Kite8.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Mzungu|Mzungu}}<br />Kianawah Road, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], May 2017]]
 
 
The bulky platform stick nest is placed in a tall tree. It is lined with green leaves. The clutch consists of 2–3 bluish-white eggs, (may be covered with reddish-brown blotches); incubation lasts for 35–40 days.  The young fledge after 44–54 days.
 
The bulky platform stick nest is placed in a tall tree. It is lined with green leaves. The clutch consists of 2–3 bluish-white eggs, (may be covered with reddish-brown blotches); incubation lasts for 35–40 days.  The young fledge after 44–54 days.
 
==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug16}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved May 2017)
+
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug17}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved May 2017)
 
#Wikipedia
 
#Wikipedia
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Haliastur+sphenurus}}
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{{GSearch|"Haliastur sphenurus" {{!}} "Whistling Kite"}}
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{{GS-checked}}1
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<br />
 +
<br />
 +
 
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Haliastur]]
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Haliastur]]

Latest revision as of 23:03, 14 September 2023

Haliastur sphenurus

Identification

Juvenile
Photo © by Woom
Lake Mulwala, Victoria, May 2015

51–59 cm (20-23¼ in)

  • Pale buff head, breast and tail
  • Brown wings
  • Black flight feathers
  • Bone-coloured legs and feet

Females are larger and heavier than males
Immature birds are a heavily-streaked rufous-brown with prominent pale wing spots

Distribution

Australasia: Breeds in eastern New Guinea, New Caledonia and widely distributed in Australia where it occurs virtually throughout the mainland.

Resident over most of range but nomadic in parts of Australia.

Vagrants recorded on Tasmania and King Island.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species[1].

Habitat

Photo © by Ken Doy
Eagleby, Queensland, Australia, June 2018

Open woodland, grassland with scattered trees, lakesides, swamps and riverine woodland.

Behaviour

Diet

The diet consists of small mammals (particularly rabbits), birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, insects and carrion (especially important in the winter months).

Breeding

The bulky platform stick nest is placed in a tall tree. It is lined with green leaves. The clutch consists of 2–3 bluish-white eggs, (may be covered with reddish-brown blotches); incubation lasts for 35–40 days. The young fledge after 44–54 days.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved May 2017)
  3. Wikipedia

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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