Whistling Kite

SPECIES Whistling Kite
TAXONOMY Haliastur sphenurus
STATUS Least Concern (ala.org) QLD, NT; Least Concern (Redlist.org)

Aka Whistling Eagle, Whistling Hawk, Chicken Hawk, and the Kite Hawk

Often thought of as ‘the pirate in the sky’ by raptor enthusiasts due to their common behaviour of stealing and robbing to procure a meal; just as the expected behaviour of a pirate! They have also been known to pick up coals from a fire and drop them to encourage prey to run! 

Named after their distinctive whistling call, the Whistling Kite can be heard whilst in flight overhead or perched. 

Distribution
Native to Australia, distribution is widespread across the mainland. They can also be found in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia. They are uncommon in Tasmania, although a few pairs have been sighted. 

Habitat
The Whistling Kite prefers to be near a water source, but has been seen in woodlands and open country. They require tall trees for nesting. They will stay close to food sources, and are not afraid to seek out carrion in farmland, vineyards, and roadsides. 

Feeding
A versatile, opportunistic, and avid hunter; the Whistling Kite is strictly carnivorous.

In their non-breeding season they become mostly scavengers. They are known to steal meals from other birds of prey as well as look for carcasses along rivers and roadsides.

During the breeding season they prefer their prey live. Their acute vision aids in the search whilst soaring high above the ground. They feed on smaller live prey such as rabbits, birds, small mammals, reptiles, insects, as well as fish. They sometimes attend fires to catch the fleeing prey. Being avid aerial artists, they can consume their prey during flight. 

Behaviour
The Whistling Kite is partially migratory. They are found alone, in pairs, and have been seen in flocks alongside other raptor species such as the Black Kite. Also like many raptor species, they will soar in slow, circling flight patterns.

The call is distinctive and resembles a clear whistle. It begins with a descending scale at which follows an upward scaled fragmented chatter.

Appearance
The Whistling Kite is a medium sized bird of prey. The head and body are relatively narrow and up to 60 centimetres long. The females are slightly larger than the males, weighing as much as 780 grams. The tail and wings are long and rounded, with a wingspan reaching 145 cm. 

Recognised by their shaggy appearance, both the male and female have similar colouring. With a light brown head and underbody, they both feature pale streaks and dark sandy-brown wings. The underwings have a distinctive pale ‘M’ shape when open. 

Juveniles are slightly darker with paler heads and underbody streaking. 

Reproduction
Monogamous by nature, pairs will seek a suitable site to build their nest in a tall tree near a water source. The bulky platform is built of sticks, is often reused, and as a result grows larger over time. 

The pair will work together in building the nest, incubation, caring for the young, and defending the territory where the nest is located. The young will remain with the parents up to eight weeks post fledging. 

Threats
As with other native species, the Whistling Kite is protected. It is listed as being of  ‘Least Concern’ to promote monitoring, restrict removal from the wild without a permit, and to keep without the appropriate controls in place.

Due to the preference to consume carrion, they often fall victim to secondary poisoning which carries through the food chain. They also fall victim to vehicular strike whilst feeding along the roadside.

The destruction of native forests has favoured the Whistling Kite as it generally will not enter dense forests in search of prey. However the removal of mature standing timber has restricted nesting sites. 

Updated 5 May 2021