Black Kite Milvus migrans The Black Kite is a widespread species found throughout the Old World. It is easily recognisable from its long, deeply-forked tail, dark body and flight habits consisting of wide circles interrupted by highly-manoeuvrable side-slipping to catch prey. They are found in large numbers in northern Australia with numbers decreasing towards the south. Black Kites are omnivorous. They predate all manner of small vertebrates, many types of invertebrates, and will take carrion. Their catholic diet has led them to become commensal with man, and they visit rubbish dumps, piggeries, abattoirs and… View bird
Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kites are named after their high-pitched whistle call consisting of a descending “seeeeo” followed by a fast ascending sequence of 4 – 7 staccato notes. Often one can tell there are Whistling Kites in the area from their whistle before a bird is seen. They are frequently seen circling lazily overhead, uttering their characteristic whistling, and displaying a distinctive underwing pattern with white “windows” (pictured above). Whistling Kites predate small vertebrates, particularly rabbits, and are even recorded as taking a fledgling Welcome Swallow on the wing. They also eat… View bird
Australian Hobby Falco longipennis The Australian Hobby is a dashing small falcon usually seen perched on tall trees but sometimes seen engaged in high-speed chases. They feed on small birds, bats and flying insects. They are very fast and can often be seen perched at the top of tall trees from which they swoop down onto their prey. Also hunt by high quartering or by low fast flight. Hunting may be done during the day, dawn or dusk and even by night where there is artificial light. Breeding occurs from August to January with… View bird
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris Black-shouldered Kites are commonly seen hovering over open areas. The pure white tail lacks the dark band found on the other common hovering bird of prey, the Nankeen Kestrel. The Black-shouldered Kite is one of four very similar species in the genus Elanus found throughout the tropic and semi-tropics, although only the Letter-winged Kite (E. scriptus) is also found in Australia. Their prey is mainly small rodents but also take other small vertebrates (reptiles and birds) and large insects such as grasshoppers. They hunt mainly by hovering and then dropping… View bird
Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrels are the best known small raptor in Australia. Masters of the wind they are often observed hovering over open fields, or along cliff or dune edges particularly near the coast. Nankeen Kestrels live mainly on arthropods such as insects, centipedes and spiders but also take small mammals, reptiles and birds. Breeding is concentrated in the spring months of August to December. Nests may be found in a variety of sites all inaccessible to ground predators – mine shafts, tree hollows, old nests of other birds, and on cliffs… View bird
Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida One of the most delightful sounds of the Australian bush is the gentle “coo-luk” of the Peaceful Dove. Unfortunately, in most urban areas they have been displaced by Feral Pigeons, Spotted Turtle Doves and seagulls. They feed on small seeds, especially from grasses and sedges. They forage on the ground usually in pair or small flocks. Breeding can take place in all months but less so during the dry months of summer. Two white eggs are laid on a small platform of twigs. Incubation is by both sexes. View bird
Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata This tiny dove is the smallest dove in the world. The calls are distinctive. One call consists of long coos which may be repeated up to five times. The other call is of two notes, the first of which is often burry and the second clear. Diamond Doves feed almost entirely on the seeds of grasses and legumes, but eat some leaves and insects. They take very small seeds. Breeding is strongly influenced by food and rainfall and may occur throughout the year but the peak is usually in spring… View bird
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis Spotted Doves are native to China, South East Asia and the Philippines. They were released in Adelaide in 1881, as part of the ill-conceived 19th century naturalisation programme, which saw a number of non-native birds introduced into Australia. They displaced the small Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida) but may now themselves be under pressure from the increase in the native Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes). Spotted Doves feed on grain, the seeds of grasses and herbs and on small fruit. They feed on the ground alone, in pairs or in small groups…. View bird
Feral Pigeon Columbia livia The Rock Dove is native to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. They were first domesticated by the Egyptians over 5,000 years ago, and have since traveled with humans to all parts of the globe including Australia. Many birds escaped captivity and established breeding colonies throughout the country. Feral Pigeons feed on food scraps in urban areas and with agricultural grains, supplemented by the seeds of grasses and herbs in country areas. They feed on the ground commonly on flocks which may be large. Potentially they can breed all… View bird