Brahminy Kite

Haliastur indus

Family: Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks · Status: Very common resident · Size: 44–52 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Resident from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to north and east Australia.

Identification

Adults have chestnut-brown upperparts, belly, vent, and underwing-coverts, paler brown flight feathers with black wingtips, and a white breast and head. Juveniles have variably brownish underparts with white primary bases. In flight, wings held in an 'M' shape when soaring. Juveniles resemble Black Kite, which is more slender, with a longer forked or square-tipped tail and narrower, longer wings.

Habitat

Coasts, estuaries, mangroves, parks and gardens; in Singapore, can be seen almost anywher

Behaviour

Forages by soaring and quartering; snatches fish and other prey from the water surface; also a scavenger.