Whistling Kite

The Whistling Kite is a familiar sight around wetlands, waterways and open country across Australia. These graceful birds of prey are often seen soaring in lazy circles while searching for food. They have a particularly fascinating relationship with fire, sometimes hunting around bushfires and, remarkably, carrying burning sticks to spread fire and flush out prey.

Physical Appearance

The Whistling Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey with a slim body, narrow head and rounded tail. Its plumage is generally sandy-brown with pale streaks, while the underside of the wings has a distinctive pale panel surrounded by darker feathers, creating an “M” shape when viewed from below. Adults have dark grey bills, brown eyes and cream-coloured legs. Females are larger than males, while juveniles are more heavily streaked on the head and underparts.

Habitat

Whistling Kites are widespread across mainland Australia and inhabit open woodland, farmland and wetlands. They are often found near water and prefer tall trees for nesting. Populations in eastern and south-eastern Australia are partially migratory, while those in northern and western Australia are generally more resident.

Behaviour

Diet: Whistling Kites are opportunistic hunters and scavengers. They search for prey while soaring above the ground, trees and water. Their diet includes carrion, mammals, birds, fish and insects, with live prey becoming more important during the breeding season.
Fire hunting: These kites can be seen hunting around bushfires, taking insects and other small animals fleeing the flames. They may fly remarkably close to the fire as they pursue their prey.
Fire spreading: In northern Australia, Whistling Kites have been observed carrying burning sticks in their beaks or talons and deliberately moving fire into unburnt areas. This remarkable behaviour can help flush out prey.
Whistling call: Their distinctive descending whistle can be heard both while they are flying and around the nest. This characteristic call is what gives the species its name.

Breeding

Nesting: Whistling Kites build bulky platform nests from sticks, usually in tall trees. The same nest can be reused each breeding season, with additional material added over time, causing it to become quite large.
Parental care: Both parents help build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the chicks. Usually two eggs are laid. After fledging, young birds may continue returning to the nest to be fed by their parents for up to eight weeks.
Breeding period: Mainly July to December.