RarityCommon
Height36 cm
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Bird Gallery
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Did You Know?
3 Facts1
"Black-shouldered Kites can form loose colonies during mouse plagues, with up to 7 birds feeding together-a rare sight among raptors that are usually solitary or in pairs."
Field Guide
Black-shouldered Kite
4 sections
The Black-shouldered Kite (*Elanus axillaris*) is a small, elegant raptor found throughout mainland Australia and Tasmania. With its crisp white and grey plumage, striking black shoulder patches, and vivid red eyes, this species is a familiar sight hovering over grasslands, farmland, and open country. Its graceful "wind-hanging" hunting style and adaptability have made it one of Australia’s most successful birds of prey.
Distribution Map
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Top Locations
Curated birding spots where the Black-shouldered Kite has been recorded.
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