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Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
Description:
Small white hawk whoose wings are grey with black shoulder patches. Eyes are red with a black marking which runs from front to back over the eye. Seen from below the bird is white with grey and black markings from the middle to the end of the wing. It is frequently seen perching on dead trees or hovering over grasslands.
One of two small species of raptor which are frequently seen hovering over open grassy areas searching for prey, the other being the Nankeen Kestrel. Once prey is spotted the kite will drop down to catch it.
Distribution:
Found throughout mainland Australia but more common in coastal regions. Vagrant to Tasmania.
Habitat:
Black-shouldered Kites prefer open grassland with tall grass but will also hunt in lightly wooded habitats. They will also hunt over pasture, crops, sports fields, and salt marsh where they hunt mice, lizards, ground birds and large insects. They nest in leafy woodland trees and perch conspicuously on dead branches.
Threats:
Range and numbers have increased since European settlement however numbers may have declined in some areas where sheep and rabbits have reduced grass cover by grazing and trampling.
Bibliography:
Marchant and Higgins. 1993 Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 2: Raptors to Lapwings, Oxford University Press: Melbourne.
Pizzey and Knight. 2007 The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Harper Collins.
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