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Whistling KiteAlternate name(s): "Whistling Hawk", "Carrion Hawk"; misnomer: "Whistling Eagle"  Aboriginal name(s): "djando" (WA); "kirrkie"Size: male 50 cm, female 65 cm; wing span up to 1.7 m Weight: 380-1050 g |
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In the winter of 2022 we found a pair of Whistling Kites nesting on the edge of a swamp at Yarrie Lake near Wee Waa, NSW. Their timing was such that egg-laying occurred in autumn and the single chick they raised fledged in the middle of winter (the first week of August). 2022 was the second year in a row with a La Nina event, leading to above average rainfall in eastern Australia and Yarrie Lakeand the associated swamp were consistently full, ensuring the availability of prey.
In favourable conditions Whistling Kites can nest in autumn
and have their offspring fledge in the middle of winter
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, April 2022]
About 3.5 months later, we found that the pair had been successful in raising one chick.
While the fledged chick was found on a nearby perch, one of
the parents flew to the aerie; the fledgling's begging
calls were recorded (below)
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, August 2022]
| whskite_20220806.m4a | (NW NSW) | Fledgling begging & parent responding | © MD |
The adult must have left food on the nest, because then the
young bird returned and plucked its meal on the nest; most
likely it did not know yet how to hold on to the prey while
feeding
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, August 2022]
When finished with its meal, the young Whistling Kite left
the nest again
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, August 2022]
