They are also seen catching bats in mid-flight. One of their favorite meals includes crabs and dead fish on the banks of rivers and on the shore. The brahminy kite is a scavenger bird of prey, which means they will eat just about anything – from dead animals to insects, small birds and reptiles, small mammals and food waste from rubbish dumps. ![]() This is their main method of catching prey, as their feet don’t have the strength to wrestle prey without the strength of their flight (as opposed to from a perch). They will swoop low just above the water line, and then catch the unsuspecting fish. What Do They Eat? (Diet)Īs the brahminy kite’s favorite habitat is wetlands and coastal areas, it makes sense that the most popular part of their diet is fish. This noise is mostly made when the birds are communicating with one another, especially during the courting ritual and when the hunter is looking for food during the incubation period. It’s something like a mixture between an eagle and a regular seagull, sounding like a mewing noise. The call of a brahminy kite is a unique one to say the least, though they aren’t a particularly vocal species. After 40-56 days from the incubation period, the young are technically ready to fly away, but they remain dependent on their parents for a further two months. Both parents share the incubation period evenly, which lasts 26-35 days, with the other on feeding responsibilities. They will make the nest together, and when successful, the female will lay a clutch of 1-3 eggs. Not much is known about the courting rituals of the brahminy kite, but it is assumed that the ritual consists of an aerial display performed by the male to the female with a series of calls and sounds. ![]() These vast breeding seasons are one of the reasons why the brahminy kite is thriving as a species! For the birds in Australia, the breeding season is either between August and October (in the south and east) or April and June (north and west). More on their diet later in this guide! Breeding / Reproduction Behaviorįor the brahminy kite in South Asia, the breeding season is between December and April. This means that they have had to adapt their diets to avoid taking down large prey, and instead, their diet mostly consists of dead animals and fish. Interestingly, these birds don’t have the strongest feet. This is because the species often makes movements depending on the rainfall seasons. While they mostly reside near the coast and in wetlands, the species has been known to live in forests and even 5000 ft above sea level in the Himalayas. The brahminy kite is a surprisingly adaptable bird when it comes to habitat. They are persistent and determined to protect their young, so it’s wise to never get too close to the brahminy kite. This means that if a human were to go too close to a brahminy kite’s nest, then they wouldn’t hesitate to become aggressive. Like most birds of prey, the brahminy kite is a territorial bird that will be incredibly protective over their nest, eggs, and chicks. This is because her body is adapted to carry eggs. This means that there are few physical differences to distinguish the male from the female without doing a full DNA test.Īs with most sexually monomorphic birds of prey, the female brahminy kite is generally larger than the male. The brahminy kite, like many birds of prey species, is sexually monomorphic. Their beaks are a pale yellow all over, and their matching pale legs are not covered by feathers.Īs juveniles, the brahminy kite is predominantly brown until they develop the distinctive chestnut plumage. In contrast to their white heads, these birds possess dark eyes as opposed to amber irises (which most birds of prey exhibit). ![]() ![]() The tail is usually tipped with white feathers and, contrastingly again, the wings have black tips. The rest of their body is covered with a reddish-brown, often chestnut color. The brahminy kite exhibits a contrasting plumage, with a white head, neck, throat, flanks, and chest. This species is most distinctive for its plumage. The average weight of this species is between 320-670 grams. The brahminy kite is a medium-sized raptor, measuring at 18-20 inches in length and with a wingspan of 1.09-1.24 meters. Here is the ultimate guide to the brahminy kite! Appearance They are also commonly known for their unique wetland habitats and stunning, one-of-a-kind plumage. The brahminy kite is certainly one of the most interesting birds of prey because they have particularly weak feet, meaning that despite their size, they cannot catch large prey. This species was once known as the red-backed sea eagle in Australia due to its favorite habitat (the coast) and its distinctive reddish plumage that stands out amongst other birds of prey.
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