Skip to main content
Close

Black Shouldered Kite

Elanus axillaris

Photo by RachaelB
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-38.2344, 143.112

Field Notes

Description:

Black-shouldered Kites are medium to small raptors (birds of prey), and are mostly pale grey above, with a pure white head, body and tail and black shoulders. The wings are white underneath, with black wing tips and the wing span is 80 cm to 100 cm. Females are larger than males. The red eye is marked by a black comma that extends behind it. The nostrils are yellow and the legs and feet are also yellow. The Black-shouldered Kite has a direct flight with quick shallow wing beats interspersed with glides on upswept wings (like a seagull), and is often seen hovering, with feet dangling.

Habitat:

Treed grasslands and on farms, along roads, and in vacant waste lands of urban and coastal areas.

Notes:

Unfortunately this bird was in a paddock quite a long way away and my zoom just wasn't good enough!

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment

Spotted for Missions

Photographed
PublishedApril 1, 2013

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon