BirdUp · Species
Whistling Kite
Haliastur sphenurus(Vieillot, 1818)
Updated
- Order
- ACCIPITRIFORMES
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Haliastur
At a glance
The Whistling Kite is a large bird, about 50–60 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 50–60 cm
- Origin
- Native
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Very common
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does a Whistling Kite look like?
The Whistling Kite is a large bird, about 50–60 cm long and weighing 380–1050 g.
The whistling kite is a medium-sized diurnal raptor found throughout Australia, New Caledonia and much of New Guinea. Also called the whistling eagle or whistling hawk, it is named for its loud whistling call, which it often gives in flight. Some authorities put this species in the genus Milvus, despite marked differences in behaviour, voice and plumage between this species and other members of that genus.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
03 · When
When to look
When can you see a Whistling Kite?
The Whistling Kite is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
04 · Voice
What it sounds like
Call
Nina Kerr · Hattah VIC 3501, Australia
Call
Rosalie Lawrence · Monarto SA 5254, Australia
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does a Whistling Kite eat?
The Whistling Kite feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, terrestrial vertebrates, carrion and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks or alone.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
2 photos
The BirdUp app
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