
Whistling Kite – Haliastur sphenurus
So named because of the loud and common whistling sound emitted by both males and females.
Female kites tend to be a bit bigger than the males with both happy to keep the relationship going year after year and are also happy to use the same nest to raise their small annual family (up to 3 eggs).
Whistling Kites are found throughout Australia into New Guinea and New Caledonia. They are known to both stay in the one area and to migrate. Typically, migration occurs in areas where weather and food conditions vary greatly.
An interesting adaptation to improve their food aquisition abilities is the use of fire to scare game into the open. Whistling Kites have been observed to grab burning sticks and embers and move them forward of a fire front to scare more prey out for them.
Although there have been reliable eye witnesses it is yet to be captured on film and verified. Regardless this ability is not a common or standard go to for hunting.
If you are a fish, small mammal, reptiles or just about anything made of meat consider yourself on the menu for these raptors.