Brahminy Kite
Haliastur indus
The Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) is a common kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 24 countries, weighing about 529 g. The brahminy kite, also known as the red-backed sea-eagle in India, is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors, such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers, found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
About the Brahminy Kite
The brahminy kite, also known as the red-backed sea-eagle in India, is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors, such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers, found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The brahminy kite is found mainly on the coast and in inland wetlands, where it feeds on dead fish and other prey. Adults have a reddish-brown body plumage contrasting with their white head and breast which make them easy to distinguish from other birds of prey.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The bird measures 45–51 cm (18–20 in) in length, 109–124 cm (43–49 in) in wingspan, and weighs 320–673 g (11.3–23.7 oz). The brahminy kite is distinctive and contrastingly coloured, with chestnut plumage except for the white head and breast and black wing tips. The juveniles are browner, but can be distinguished from both the resident and migratory races of black kites in Asia by the paler appearance, shorter wings, and rounded tail. The pale patch on the underwing carpal region is of a squarish shape and separated from Buteo buzzards.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Brahminy Kite can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Brahminy Kite?
- The bird measures 45–51 cm (18–20 in) in length, 109–124 cm (43–49 in) in wingspan, and weighs 320–673 g (11.3–23.7 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Brahminy Kite?
- The Brahminy Kite is a large sized bird weighing about 529 g.
- Where can you see a Brahminy Kite?
- The Brahminy Kite occurs in 24 countries, including India, Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore.
- What birds look similar to a Brahminy Kite?
- The Brahminy Kite is most easily confused with the Whistling Kite.
- Is the Brahminy Kite endangered?
- The Brahminy Kite is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Brahminy Kite for real
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