The brahminy kite, also known as the red-backed sea-eagle in Australia, is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors, such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers. They are found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
This species is found through parts of Asia, Australia, and New Guinea. It can be found soaring over coastal areas, estuaries, wetlands, rivers, swamps, and clearings. It often hunts over forest canopy.
When it is not soaring, this beautiful kite spends its time on exposed perches in trees. It spends time alone, in pairs, and in small family groups. At night, it will sometimes roost in large groups.
rahminy Kites build a large platform nest of sticks which they line with twigs, bark, leaves, dried mud or dung. They often build the nest between 2-30 m above the ground in a prominent fork of a tall tree. They seem to prefer forested slopes for nesting.
Pairs will often use the same nests year after year, adding new material each year. As a result, the nests become larger and larger over time. When the time is right, the female will lay between 1-3 eggs, which are white with small brown spots. Incubation lasts about 35 days. Once the nestlings hatch, they will grow quickly, flying for the first time when they are around 50-56 days old. The young will remain in their parents' territory for about two months as they learn to hunt, avoid danger, and otherwise survive on their ow
Haliastur indus
Haliastur
30 YEARS
Brahminy kites don't migrate but perform seasonal movements associated with rainfall in some parts of their range. They are usually seen alone or in pairs and may roost communally on large and isolated trees. Brahminy kites hunt by day soaring high in the air looking for prey. They may also hunt from a perch, or on the ground. They may also indulge in kleptoparasitism and try to steal prey from other birds. Brahminy kites have even been recorded taking advantage of Irrawaddy dolphins herding fish to the surface.
Accipitridae
320-670G
Brahminy kites are found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. They are mainly seen in the plains but also in coastal regions, estuaries, wetlands, mangrove swamps, and even in urban areas.
The Brahminy Kite feeds on carrion (dead animals), insects and fish. It swoops low over water, the ground or tree tops and snatches live prey or carrion from the surface. It also steals from fish-hunting birds, snatching prey in flight.Although they are capable of taking small live items such as mice and voles, kites mainly rely on carrion – things which are already dead – as their basic food supply