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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
[[Image:BSKF-BF.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|aussietrev|aussietrev }}<br />Gold Coast, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]]] | [[Image:BSKF-BF.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|aussietrev|aussietrev }}<br />Gold Coast, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]]] | ||
| − | This is a [[Dictionary_M- | + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. |
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 Australian Kite for the present species. There is therefore a lot 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 Australian Kite for the present species. There is therefore a lot of confusion in the naming of these species. | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Open woodland and grasslands; coastal sand dunes and salt marshes. Gardens, roadsides, sewage farms; overgrown scrub land | Open woodland and grasslands; coastal sand dunes and salt marshes. Gardens, roadsides, sewage farms; overgrown scrub land | ||
Revision as of 15:38, 26 June 2014
- 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 is a monotypic species[1].
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 Australian Kite for the present species. There is therefore a lot of confusion in the naming of these species.
Habitat
Open woodland and grasslands; coastal sand dunes and salt marshes. Gardens, roadsides, sewage farms; overgrown scrub land
Behaviour
The diet consists mostly of mice. Grasshoppers, rats, small reptiles, and birds, are also taken.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Wikipedia
- BF Member Observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Black-shouldered Kite. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 1 November 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black-shouldered_Kite
