What is A Bird of Prey?

Birds of prey are made up of birds from families of Ospreys, Kites, Goshawks, Eagles, Harriers and Falcons. These birds mostly hunt for live prey ‘on the wing,’ while flying. Some are opportunistic scavengers. Nests are large and conspicuous, made of sticks. Females are often larger than males. All birds have short heads, hooked beaks, large talons, powerful legs and broad wings. Birds of Prey are abundant in the Kimberley. See how many different Birds of Prey you can see prey next time you go for a drive. Record using a ‘What’s in your Backyard?’ datasheet.

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

What is A Bird of Prey?

Key characteristics to look for when identifying species:

Size Habitat

Colour – body and wings Shape of wings when gliding

Colour of legs and feet

Crest

Markings on face

Shape of tail

Colour of eye

Call when in flight

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Pacific Baza

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata Size: 35 – 45 cm Distinguishing features: Short crest; Grey upperparts and chest; Underwing pale rufous (brown/orange) with barred fingers on wing tip; Belly whitish with bold dark bars. Habitat: Coastal/sub-coastal forest; towns and parklands. Distribution: Coastal Kimberley, NT, QLD and Nthn NSW. Call: Double whistle, rising and falling; Soft chatter. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Black-Shouldered Kite

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Black-Shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris Size: 35 cm Distinguishing features: Dusk and dawn Hunter; Individual or family group in top dead trees; Black patch around eye, forms an eye brow; Body white with grey wings; Distinct black shoulders; Dark wing tips. Habitat: Open woodland; grasslands; crops and parkland. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Harsh ‘kat,’ soft ‘chep.’ Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Bird of Prey 1

Bird of Prey 2

© Mel Mitchell

Community

Photo!

Kununurra

Broome

Kalumburu

Osprey

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Osprey Pandion haliaetus Size: 50 - 65 cm; wingspan to 1.7 m. Distinguishing features: Patrols over water; Plunges feet first; Distinct brown streak through eye and down sides of neck; White head and chest; Brown mottled stripe under throat; Male light; Darker female. Habitat: Mangroves, rivers and estuaries. Common along Ord River from Lake Kununurra to Argyle Dam Wall. Distribution: Coastal Australia. Call: Ringing whistles. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Square-Tailed Kite

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Square-Tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura Size: 50 - 55 cm; wingspan ave 140 cm. Distinguishing features: Solitary; Slender with long wings; White face; Long square tail, with dark band across end; Underwings rufous (brown/orange) in colour; Barred fingers on wing tips; Similar to Black Kite, Black-Breasted Buzzard, Red Goshawk and Swamp Harrier. Habitat: Open forest; woodland or scrub. Distribution: WA, NT, QLD, NSW, Vic and SA. Call: Yelp and weak chatter Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/

Black-Breasted Buzzard

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Black-Breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon Size: 50 – 60 cm, wingspan ave 150 cm Distinguishing features: Blackish in Colour; Rufous patches on neck, shoulder, thighs and vent; Distinct white patch on under-side of wing near each tip, a ‘bull’s eye’; Juvenile rufous in colour; Similar to Little Eagle and Swamp Harrier. Habitat: Woodland or Arid scrub. Distribution: WA, NT, QLD, NSW and SA. Call: Short shape whistles and calls. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au www.aviceda.org/abid

Bird of Prey 3

© Ray Lanaghan

© Katrina Nissen

Bird of Prey 4

© Julian Robinson

Community

Photo!

Bird of Prey 5

© Edwin Vella

© Chris Ross

Black Kite

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Black Kite Milvus migrans Size: 45-55 cm; wingspan ave 130 cm. Distinguishing features: Classic forked tail; Uniform brown/grey almost black in strong light; pale shoulder bar; no pale patches on wings; yellow between beak and eyes (cere); yellow feet. Similar to Whistling kite. Habitat: Soars over fires; landfill; woodlands and watercourses. Call: Descending “see..err”; whistles “si..i..i..i” Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Whistling Kite

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Whistling Kite Haliastur (Milvus) sphenurus Size: 50-60 cm, wingspan ave 135 cm. Distinguishing features: Head and underneath pale feathers; Dark wings with pale wing linings; In flight underneath looks like a “W”; Juvenile has spots on dark wings; plain pale tail. Habitat: Soars over woodlands; waterway; seashores; Loves Kununurra oval. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Distinct and repeated whistle “Si..si..si..si..si” decreasing in intensity. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Brahminy Kite

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Size: 45 - 50 cm, wingspan ave 120 cm Distinguishing features: Chestnut body and wings; white head and chest; dark wing tips; rounded tail with white tip. Habitat: Mudflats; mangroves; and islands. Distribution: Coastal northern Australia, WA to NSW. Call: ‘pee-ah-ah-ah.’ Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

© Mel Mitchell

Common

Species

Bird of Prey 7

© James Adam

Bird of Prey 6

Common

Species

Bird of Prey 8

© Judhi Prasetyo

White-Bellied Sea Eagle

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

White-Bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Size: 75 – 85 cm, wingspan to 220 cm. Distinguishing features: White head, chest and tail; Grey back and underside of wings; Bare whitish legs; Female larger than male; Juvenile mottled brown. Habitat: Large rivers and lakes or coastal. Distribution: Coastal Australia. Call: Honking and cackling like a goose. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Wedge-tailed Eagle

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax Size: 85-105 cm; wingspan to 230 cm. Distinguishing features: Large. Soars with long fingered upswept wings; Brown/black becoming darker with age; Scruffy feathers on neck; Tail distinct long wedge shape; Dark hooked beak; legs feet paler; hooked claws (talons) obvious. Habitat: Various except forest; common along roadsides. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Feeble yelps and squeals. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Little Eagle

“What’s in Your

BackYard?”

Little Eagle Heiraaetus morphnoides Size: 45 - 55 cm; wingspan ave 120 cm Distinguishing features: Head light brown to light rufous; Black streaks on cheeks; Short crest of black feathers; Prominent light band on wing; Wing feathers tipped with black; Legs feathered; Either light or dark brown morphs. Similar to Whistling Kite and Square-tailed Kite. Habitat: Open forest and woodland; agricultural land. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Loud high pitched whistle, 2-3 rapid notes. Also, mellow long squeals. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/

Bird of Prey 9

© Bridget Cook

Bird of Prey 10

Bird of Prey 11

© Dean Goodgame

© Julian Robinson

Community

Photo!

Brown Goshawk

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus Size: 40 – 55 cm; wingspan to 100 cm. Distinguishing features: Bright yellow eyes; Flat winged glide when soaring; Beetled-browed; Head/body grey. Orange/brown (rufous) collar across neck; underneath faintly barred rufous, white; long yellow legs. Habitat: Timbered areas; hunts near waterways. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Chatter; squeals and rapid shrills. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Collared Sparrowhawk

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus Size: 30 - 40 cm Distinguishing features: Short rounded Wings; Similar colour to Brown Goshawk, however squarer tail, less beetle-browed eyes, finer legs and toes; Male smaller than female; Flat winged glide when soaring. Habitat: Areas with trees. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Male: rapid shrill chatter. Female: lower pitch; slower calls. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

White or Grey Goshawk

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

White or Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae Size: 40 - 55 cm Distinguishing features: Either pure white or grey colour plumage; Kimberley dominated by white plumage; Eye dark red; Wings rounded with darker wing tips; Yellow legs. Habitat: Forests, esp. coastal forest. Distribution: Coastal Australia from Kimberley, NT, QLD, NSW, Vic SA. Call: Rising repeated shrill whistle, also chatter. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au www.aviceda.org/abid www.fthsm.com/gallery/6542997_VVvhm

Bird of Prey 13

Bird of Prey 14

Common

Species

© Katrina Nissen

Bird of Prey 12

Common

Species

© Fatih Sam

© Larry Dunis

Community

Photo!

Community

Photo!

Red Goshawk

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Red Goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus Size: 45 - 60 cm, wing span to 130 cm. Distinguishing features: Yellow eyes; Head rufous (orange/brown) with black and white streaks; White on face and throat; Body rufous with dark markings; Long wings, fingered at tips, rufous with light and dark patterning.;Long tail, barred grey and rufous; Strong yellow legs. Habitat: Coastal forest and woodland. Distribution: Coastal Australia from Kimberley, NT, QLD and NSW. Call: Loud chatter and yelps. Status: Vulnerable. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au www.aviceda.org/abid

Spotted Harrier

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis Size: 50 - 62 cm Distinguishing features: Face and underside are distinctly chestnut with white spots; Soars with wings elevated, grey with black tips; Tail has clear bars and wedge shaped; Long yellow legs; Hunts over low vegetation. Habitat: Open grassland and crops. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Rapid chatter and squeeks. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au www.aviceda.org/abid http://merrittimages.com/

Swamp Harrier

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Swamp Harrier Circus approximans Size: 50 - 60 cm; wing span to 120 cm. Distinguishing features: Dark brown; Distinct white rump; Tail and wings Barred; Underparts off-white to light Brown; Long yellow legs; Female larger with rufous underside. Habitat: Long grass; reeds; rushes; open water Distribution: Australia wide. Call: ‘seee-ha’ during aerial transfer of food and ‘kee-a’ during courtship flight. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au www.aviceda.org/abid

Bird of Prey 17

Bird of Prey 16

Bird of Prey 15 Vulnerable

© David Simpson

© Ian Colley © Peter Merritt

© Peter Fuller

Black Falcon

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Black Falcon Falco subniger Size: 45 - 55 cm; wing span to 120 cm. Distinguishing features: Glides on wings with slight droop; Dark brown to black; Blue bill; Pale chin; Faint narrow bars under wings and tail; Short legs; Square cut long tail. Habitat: Woodland and shrub in arid to semi arid areas. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Deep chattering or slow whining. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au www.aviceda.org/abid

Peregrine Falcon

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Size: 35-50 cm; wingspan to 120 cm. Distinguishing features: Robust; Powerful flight; Stiff straight wings when gliding; Black hood, head and cheeks; Yellow and blue beak; Blue grey wings; Underparts cream with dark barring on belly; Yellow legs; Similar to Australian Hobby. Habitat: Most habitats, likes rocky cliffs and rocky coastal islands. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Hoarse chatter, whining and clucking. Considered to be world’s fastest animal. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au www.aviceda.org/abid

Australian Hobby

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Australian Hobby Falco longipennis Size: 30 – 36 cm Distinguishing features: Slender with long wings; Dark cap and mask; Whitish half collar; Upper-side blue grey; underside rufous (brown/orange) with dark streaks. Habitat: Woodland; scrub and urban. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Rapid chatter; loud chuckling call. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Bird of Prey 19

Bird of Prey 20

© Desanka Mijovik

Bird of Prey 18

© Chris Barnes

© Anthony Katon © Mat & Cath Gilfedder

Community

Photo!

Brown Falcon

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Brown Falcon Falco berigora Size: 40 - 50 cm; wingspan to 120 cm. Distinguishing features: Hovers Unsteadily; Brown above with dark markings below and behind eye; Underside whitish with dark streaks or patches or completely brown; Underwings pale brown with bars; Thighs dark brown with long legs; Can be dark brown, brown or rufous; Similar to Nankeen Kestral. Habitat: Everywhere except closed forest. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Cackles and screeches. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Nankeen Kestral

“What’s in Your BackYard?”

Nankeen Kestral Falco cenchroides Size: 30 – 35 cm Distinguishing features: Slender; Black band near tail tip; Commonly found perched on wires/posts/buildings; Dark grey beak; Cere (light brown) yellow; Dark tear drop mark under eye; Grey head; Light grey bands on tail; Legs and feet are yellow; Similar to brown falcon. Habitat: Everywhere except closed forest. Distribution: Australia wide. Call: Excited chatter. Ref: Simpson K. & Day N. “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”

www.canetoads.com.au

Bird of Prey 21

Bird of Prey 22

© Dean Goodgame

Community

Photo!