| Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus |
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Australia February / April 2006 The Whistling Kite is distributed in Australia, New Guinea and New Caledonia. It is found in open woodland near water or wetlands, by rivers and on the coast. |
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It is a fairly large hawk which is brown above and fawn below. In flight it has a distinctive underwing pattern where the broad pale brown leading edge extends at right angles to the trailing edge near the wing-tip and separates the dark outer primaries from the dark secondaries. Note also the round tail. The juvenile is more heavily streaked and has large, pale spots on the wings. |
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It feeds mainly on carrion but also catches small mammals and birds, reptiles, fish and insects. Its call is a long, descending whistle which gives rise to its English name. |
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