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Brahminy Kite

Brahminy kites are medium sized birds of prey common in coastal areas. Adults have an unmistakable white head and chest with a chestnut brown coloured body. They have dark coloured eyes and a strongly hooked, yellow beak. The tail is relatively short and can have white tips.

Size

male 45 cm, female 51 cm with an average wing span of 120 cm

Behaviour

Diet

Kites are predators/scavengers and commonly eat dead animals (carrion) and fish washed onshore. They also steal prey from other birds.

Field Guide

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  • Species Category: Birds
  • Species origin: Native
  • Conservation status: Common
  • Did You Know?
    • They are widespread throughout tropical Asia.
    • They can also be found scavenging at waste at tips and roadsides, which in the long term may cause detrimental effects on the brahminy’s health.

  • What to Observe

    • Courting/Mating

    • Presence

    • Feeding

    • Bird on nest

    Climate Adaptations

    Brahminy kites are predator/scavengers and commonly eat dead animals (carrion) and fish washed up on beaches or steal prey from other birds. They are an important predator /scavenger in coastal areas and their presence can indicate a healthy ecosystem.

  • When and Where

    When To Look

    Throughout the year

    Where To Look

    • Brahminy kites are coastal birds and can normally be found along shorelines, estuaries and in mangrove swamps
    • They can sometimes be seen over forests and along rivers
    • Carnarvon WA, NT, QLD, NSW, possibly northern Victoria

  • Similar Species

    Juvenile brahminy kites are easy to confuse with many other birds of prey, so record only on adults which are easier to identify. Ospreys, whistling kites and black-breasted kites can all look similar when on the wing; however, brahminy kites can be distinguished by their dark ‘fingered’ wingtips, chestnut brown wings and body that is half white and half brown.
  • Trails: Darwin East Point Reserve NT, James Cook University Cairns QLD, James Cook University Townsville QLD, Sunshine Coast Currimundi QLD, Sunshine Coast Kawana Forest QLD, Sunshine Coast Maroochy Wetlands QLD, Tinaroo EEC QLD, Sunshine Coast Doonan Creek QLD
  • Species Region: Australia