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6

Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) Alternate 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

Australia: Family Group 6 Family Group 6 Table Osprey Brahminy Kite Whistling Kite Little Eagle Black Kite Square-tailed Kite Black-breasted Buzzard Wedge-tailed Eagle White-bellied Sea-Eagle Spotted Harrier Swamp Harrier Black-shouldered Kite Letter-winged Kite Pacific Baza Collared Sparrowhawk Brown Goshawk Grey Goshawk Red Goshawk Nankeen Kestrel Australian Hobby Peregrine Falcon Brown Falcon Grey Falcon Black Falcon Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names Habitat pages Key plants Birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Whistling Kites are medium-sized birds of prey. Head, neck, breast, belly and vent are scalloped grey-brown. The upperwings are dark-brown, with light-brown feather linings. Bill, legs and feet are grey. The eyes are black. The underwing pattern shows dark-brown outer primaries, a light-brown wing panel on the inner primaries and mid-brown secondaries. The coverts are scalloped grey-brown. In flight the tail is long and narrow, with a rounded tip. Juvenile Whistling Kites have more pronounced scalloping and wing feather edge linings, giving them a speckled appearance.

Taxonomy, classification See Whistling Kite at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Whistling Kite is available HERE . Whistling Kites are found primarily in Australia, but also across the Torres Strait, in southern New Guinea and in New Caledonia. In Australia, Whistling Kites are found basically anywhere on the continent and in the North-East of Tasmania. They are rarest in the most arid parts of the continent, from about the Pilbara region in WA to the Nullarbor, where they venture only in good years, when prey is in abundance. Whistling Kites have a preference for aquatic habitats, hunting above both land and water. They are therefore found not only in open forest and grassland, but primarily in various types of wetlands, such as rivers and lakes. They like nesting in major forks of River Red Gums. Where to look? How to find this species? Whistling Kites can be observed circling in the sky, often near water, in particular near freshwater lakes, where they prey on various species of waterhens. Following their piercing calls, which carry over long distances, one can also often find them perched high up in trees near water, in particular in River Red Gums.

Sightings Click here for sighting information One can see Whistling Kites frequently in inland NSW, including the Narrabri area, usually near water (lakes, rivers and ephemeral lakes). Whistling Kites are one of the most common types of raptor seen by us in inland NSW; sometimes they can be found scavenging at the local rubbish tip, together with Black Kites. We also regularly spot them above paddocks. Whistling Kites were also seen by us on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008. In July 2010 a nesting pair took up permanent residence at Narrabri Lake. They were seen there nesting in a tall River Red Gum that year and in the years since. We regularly find Whistling Kites in and around wetlands, such as e.g. Goran Lake, where they prey on various types of aquatic birds, mostly waterhens. Since the 2012/13 breeding season a breeding pair can also be found at Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW. In August 2014 we found Whistling Kites in good numbers in the Top End of the NT. They were also reported to be abundance in the same area in May 2018 by P. Brown. B. Kinross reports finding a Whistling Kite on the Murray River, near Swan Reach, SA, in February 2012. J. Greaves reports Whistling Kites breeding at Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, in July 2015 and again in August 2016. The species was also found at various locations on Melville Island, off Darwin, NT, in December 2016. M. Mearns reports spotting a Whistling Kite near Betoota, SA, in June 2015. Whistling Kites were also found in various locations in far-western and north-western QLD in August/September 2019. P. Brown reports finding Whistling Kites at Lake Argyle, near Kununurra, WA, in April 2018, and at Keep River NP, NT, in November 2018. M. Eaton reports spotting Whistling Kites at St. George, QLD, in July 2017 and at Bowra Station, near Cunnumulla, QLD, in August 2018. M. Eaton also found Whistling Kites on the coastline of QLD, e.g. on Fraser Island in September 2018, and in various locations on Cape York peninsula, QLD, in August 2019. In August 2022, C. Pears found a Whistling Kite in Quindalup, WA.

Photos

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ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of an adult Whistling Kite (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, July 2020]

Frontal/ventral view of a Whistling Kite
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, September 2013]

Near-frontal view of a Whistling Kite
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Near-frontal view of a Whistling Kite
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, August 2012]

Near-frontal view of a Whistling Kite (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near St. George, QLD, September 2017]

Near-frontal view of a Whistling Kite issuing its call (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, August 2016]

Near-lateral view of a Whistling Kite (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Keep River NP, NT, November 2018]

Lateral view of a Whistling Kite (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]

Lateral/ventral view of a Whistling Kite
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2013]

Near-dorsal view of a Whistling Kite (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, July 2020]

Dorsal view of a Whistling Kite
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Dorsal view of a Whistling Kite from below (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Station, near Cunnamulla, QLD, August 2018]

Whistling Kite caught at a very private moment; this habit is the reason why one can sometimes see scattered white patches around the aeries of large raptors (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, August 2016]

Near-frontal view of a Whistling Kite in flight
[Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Approaching Whistling Kite seen from almost straight underneath
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2010]

Lateral view of a Whistling Kite in flight
[Pilliga Lagoon, NSW, February 2019]

Soaring Whistling Kite
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2012]

Soaring Whistling Kite
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2010]

Whistling Kite in flight
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2010]

Whistling Kite trying to gain height with powerful wing beats
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2008]

Whistling Kite in flight seen from almost behind
[Near Brewarrina, NSW, September 2017]

Whistling Kite in flight seen from behind
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2010]

Whistling Kite under attack from a White-breasted Woodswallow
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2012]

Direct comparison between a Whistling Kite, lower right, and a Black Kite; the latter is flying at a somewhat lower altitude and therefore only appears to be larger - both were waiting for prey, probably locusts, to drop dead in a cotton field that had just been sprayed by a crop duster plane
[Near Bugilbone, NSW, February 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a moulting Whistling Kite, possibly a young bird moulting into adult plumage (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]

Frontal view of a juvenile Whistling Kite waiting for the disturbance to disappear before going back to feed on road kill
[Barambah Dam, near Kingaroy, QLD, June 2017]

Frontal view of a juvenile Whistling Kite with its tail fanned
[Barambah Dam, near Kingaroy, QLD, June 2017]

Frontal view of a juvenile Whistling Kite preening after having a bath (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Lateral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, May 2018]

Lateral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite issuing its call (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, May 2018]

Lateral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, April 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Whistling Kite (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Musgrave Roadhouse, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Whistling Kite chick near fledging age (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, July 2015]

Frontal view of a juvenile Whistling Kite launching itself into the air (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, January 2019]

Frontal view of a juvenile Whistling Kite in flight (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, May 2018]

Frontal view of a juvenile Whistling Kite in flight (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, May 2018]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite in flight (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, January 2019]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite in flight (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, January 2019]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite in flight (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, May 2018]

Dorsal/ventral view of a juvenile Whistling Kite in flight
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, September 2021] NT, May 2018]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Jul - Nov

Eggs: 1 - 3

Incubation period: 40 days

Fledging age: ca. 56 days

The breeding season depends significantly on geographical latitude. In the tropical north Whistling Kites breed Feb - Sep. Given the right conditions, Whistling Kites can thus breed any time of the year.

Twitcher's tip

Note that, by the time they fledge (i.e., leave their nest), the young of all species of raptors - apart from the tail and wing feathers (which are still growing) - are already full adult-size.

There is a separate page describing a pair of Whistling Kites breeding in autumn/winter.

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket

Material: Sticks, lined with fresh leaves

Height above ground: 10 - 30 m

Specializing in hunting near water, Whistling Kites usually also nest in trees near or in water, preferably in tall River Red Gums.

Additional information

A. Morris reports that some bird species, most notably Diamond Firetails, Zebra Finches and Red-browed Finches, like to take advantage of the protection offered by nesting under a Whistling Kite nest. There is now a separate page about various bird species nesting under the umbrella of a stronger, protective species.

Whistling Kite launching itself from its nest with a chick inside (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Manton Dam, near Darwin, NT, September 2019]

Pair of Whistling Kites working on a new nest
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, August 2012]

Whistling Kite on its nest
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2010]

Here the nesting Whistling Kite's partner bringing new material
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2010]

Overview of a near-fledging age Whistling Kite nestling in its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Coolmundra, QLD, May 2018]

Frontal view of a near-fledging age Whistling Kite nestling (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Coolmundra, QLD, May 2018]

Fluffy white Whistling Kite chick on its nest, high up in a River Red Gum; this pair of Whistling Kites must have bred right through the coldest part of winter, having a chick of this size already in mid-July
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2014]

One of the parent Whistling Kites patrolling above their nest
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2014]

Whistling Kite nest with a chick near fledging age; note how Whistling Kites, being top of the food chain, do not need to hide their nests (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Near Moree, NSW, November 2012]

This photo shows that the Whistling Kite nest shown above is high up in a dead tree in a large farm dam
(photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Near Moree, NSW, September 2013]

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]

Whistling Kite on its nest with a chick near fledging age (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, July 2015]

Massive Whistling Kite nest (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Coongie Lakes, Innamincka NP, SA, July 2009]

Whistling Kite feeding its two chicks (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Tiger Bay, Warren, NSW, July 2015]

Whistling Kite on its nest overlooking a wetland (the same nest as shown above, a year later, seen from a different angle)
[Tiger Bay, Warren, NSW, October 2016]

Whistling Kites, and other members of the hawk family, are known to line their nests with aromatic leaves; the Weeping Myall, Acacia pendula, is known for the strong aromatic smell of its leaves and this bird may be after leaves for its nest
[Between Burren Junction and Pilliga, NSW, May 2022]

Whistling Kites, and other members of the hawk family, are known to line their nests with aromatic leaves; the Weeping Myall, Acacia pendula, is known for the strong aromatic smell of its leaves and this bird may be after leaves for its nest
[Between Burren Junction and Pilliga, NSW, May 2022]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 55 x 43 mm

Colour: Light red-brown, with darker red-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Nomadic/dispersive

Elementary unit: Solitary/pair

Whistling Kites are the clean-up brigade in many places. In 2005 we observed a family of four hunting - two soaring high with an overview, two coming in low above the trees - they found the carcass of a still-born lamb, on which they then fed.

Narrabri Lake hosts a lot of waterbirds, such as Egrets, Ibises and Spoonbills and various types of Cormorants and water hens. The area is also the territory of a pair of Whistling Kites.

Whistling Kite in the air space above its hunting territory, in this case a lake
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2014]

A Whistling Kite was seen by us in October 2008 having a go at a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.

Food, Diet

Adults: Small animals, carrion

Dependents: As adults

Water intake: None

All raptors are carnivores. Whistling Kites feed on small mammals and also birds (e.g. the young of any kind of waterhen). They also take large insects and they scavenge on carrion and are often found around rubbish tips. We have also seen them catching fish.

During the first few weeks, raptors feed their chicks with pieces of meat. Later on in their development, the chicks learn to tear apart their parents' prey.

Adult Whistling Kite, right, with its prey, a fish for its dependent fledged young, which takes an interest in how the prey is being skinned
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, July 2023]

Whistling Kite with its prey, a Flying Fox (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, May 2020]

Whistling Kite feeding on the carcass of a Magpie Goose (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[McMinns Lagoon, near Humpty Doo, NT, November 2020]

Frontal view of a Whistling Kite that is still bloody from its last meal (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Near Betoota, SA, June 2015]

Juvenile Whistling Kite with some dead waterfowl (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[McMinns Lagoon, near Darwin, NT, September 2018]

Whistling Kite have a preference for aquatic habitats, mostly around freshwater lakes; one of their staple diets are (mostly juvenile and inexperienced) waterhens
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2013]

Another Whistling Kite with the day's catch in its talons
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2010]

Whistling Kite after a successful hunt, this time carrying away a chick
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]

Two Australian Ravens having a good time at the "Road Kill Restaurant"... (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, June 2013]

... but then a Whistling Kite appeared and spoiled all the fun (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, June 2013]

Whistling Kite bringing food for its chick (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, July 2015]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

whskite_20140817.m4a	(Top End, NT)	Contact call	© MD
whskite_20140817_2.m4a	(Top End, NT)	Contact calls (Q&A)	© MD
whskite_pb_20180619.m4a	(Top End, NT)	(Abbreviated) contact call	© PB

More Whistling Kite sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.

Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Mon, 3 July 2023, 3:42 +00:00