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+ | :<small>'''''Black-shouldered Kite''' redirects here. For the species ''Elanus caeruleus'', see '''[[Black-winged Kite]]'''.''</small> | ||
+ | '''Alternative Name: Australian Kite''' | ||
;[[:Category:Elanus|Elanus]] axillaris | ;[[:Category:Elanus|Elanus]] axillaris | ||
[[Image:Black-shouldered_Kite.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Neil Fifer. Photographed near Sydney, [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]].]] | [[Image:Black-shouldered_Kite.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Neil Fifer. Photographed near Sydney, [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]].]] | ||
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
35 to 38 cm in length and have a wingspan of between 80 and 95 cm. Adult Black-shouldered Kites are pale grey with a white head and white underparts. The leading edge of the inner wing is black which is visible when perched and the reason for their name. | 35 to 38 cm in length and have a wingspan of between 80 and 95 cm. Adult Black-shouldered Kites are pale grey with a white head and white underparts. The leading edge of the inner wing is black which is visible when perched and the reason for their name. | ||
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This taxon has been split from ''Elanus caeruleus'' (of Africa and Eurasia) which is called [[Black-winged Kite]] in Opus. One additional species from the same complex is [[White-tailed Kite]] ((''Elanus Leucurus'')). However, several taxonomic authorities still use the name Black-shouldered Kite for ''Elanus caeruleus'', and those use Australian Kite for the present species. There is therefore lots of confusion in the naming of these species. | This taxon has been split from ''Elanus caeruleus'' (of Africa and Eurasia) which is called [[Black-winged Kite]] in Opus. One additional species from the same complex is [[White-tailed Kite]] ((''Elanus Leucurus'')). However, several taxonomic authorities still use the name Black-shouldered Kite for ''Elanus caeruleus'', and those use Australian Kite for the present species. There is therefore lots of confusion in the naming of these species. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
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==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Elanus+axillaris}} | {{GSearch|Elanus+axillaris}} | ||
*[http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=42&bid=564 View more images of this species on the ABID] | *[http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=42&bid=564 View more images of this species on the ABID] | ||
− | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Elanus]] [[Category:Incomplete]] | + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Elanus]][[Category:Incomplete]] |
Revision as of 16:07, 2 July 2008
- Black-shouldered Kite redirects here. For the species Elanus caeruleus, see Black-winged Kite.
Alternative Name: Australian Kite
- Elanus axillaris
Identification
35 to 38 cm in length and have a wingspan of between 80 and 95 cm. Adult Black-shouldered Kites are pale grey with a white head and white underparts. The leading edge of the inner wing is black which is visible when perched and the reason for their name.
Distribution
Present species is endemic to Australia.
Taxonomy
This taxon has been split from Elanus caeruleus (of Africa and Eurasia) which is called Black-winged Kite in Opus. One additional species from the same complex is White-tailed Kite ((Elanus Leucurus)). However, several taxonomic authorities still use the name Black-shouldered Kite for Elanus caeruleus, and those use Australian Kite for the present species. There is therefore lots of confusion in the naming of these species.