Black Kite

Description:

Black Kite with prey. The upper plumage is brown but the head and neck tend to be paler. The patch behind the eye appears darker. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make them easy to identify.

Habitat:

Seen near cultivated farms.

Notes:

Black Kites are most often seen gliding and soaring on thermals as they search for food. The flight is buoyant and the bird glides with ease, changing directions easily. They will swoop down with their legs lowered to snatch small live prey, fish, household refuse and carrion, for which behaviour they are known in British military slang as the shite-hawk. They are opportunist hunters and have been known to take birds, bats and rodents. They are attracted to smoke and fires, where they seek escaping prey. This behaviour has led to Australian native beliefs that kites spread fires by picking up burning twigs and dropping them on dry grass.