BirdUp · Species
Letter-winged Kite
Elanus scriptusGould, 1842
- Order
- ACCIPITRIFORMES
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Elanus
- Commonness
- Endemic
- Best seen
- Year-round
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
The letter-winged kite is a small, rare and irruptive bird of prey that is found only in Australia. Measuring around 35 cm (14 in) in length with a wingspan of 84–100 cm (33–39 in), the adult letter-winged kite has predominantly pale grey and white plumage and prominent black rings around its red eyes. Its name derives from its highly distinctive black underwing pattern of a shallow 'M' or 'W' shape, visible when in flight. This distinguishes it from the otherwise similar black-shouldered kite. This species is also the only nocturnal species within the order Accipitriformes despite few differences found in its visual anatomy to other closely related kites.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
02 · Where
Where to find it
- Breeding range
- Central NT and north SA to central QLD and north-west NSW (central Australia)
03 · When
When to look
Months this species is recorded across its Australian range.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
4 photos
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