(Filled in ID + Behaviour. Added Vocalisation. Expanded Habitat) |
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| + | [[Image:Brahminy_Kite.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Weng Chun]] | ||
;[[:Category:Haliastur|Haliastur]] indus | ;[[:Category:Haliastur|Haliastur]] indus | ||
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | 43-51cm. Chestnut, white head and breast, black wing tips, yellow feet. Juveniles are browner. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Southern Asia to Australia. Breeds in much of India and Sri Lanka and in mainly coastal areas from Burma and southern China south to Malaya and from the Philippines, Borneo and Sumatra east to New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands, and Australia. In Australia a northern coastal species found from about Shark Bay in Western Australia to central New South Wales. Resident. | + | Southern [[Asia]] to [[Australia]]. Breeds in much of [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]] and in mainly coastal areas from [[Burma]] and southern [[China]] south to [[Malaya]] and from the [[Philippines]], [[Borneo]] and [[Sumatra]] east to [[New Guinea]], the [[Bismarck Archipelago]] and [[Solomon Islands]], and [[Australia]]. In Australia a northern coastal species found from about Shark Bay in [[Western Australia]] to central [[New South Wales]]. Resident. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
Four subspecies are recognised: nominate race breeds from India to China and Indochina, ''intermedius'' in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, ''girrenera'' in Australia, New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago and ''flavirostris'' in the Solomon Islands. | Four subspecies are recognised: nominate race breeds from India to China and Indochina, ''intermedius'' in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, ''girrenera'' in Australia, New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago and ''flavirostris'' in the Solomon Islands. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Coastal mudflats, islands, estuaries and mangroves. In some areas common in coastal towns. | + | Coastal mudflats, islands, estuaries and mangroves up to 2,300m. In some areas common in coastal towns. |
| − | == | + | ==Behaviour== |
| + | It nests in mangrove trees, close to water. The nest is made of twigs and sticks, often lined with dried mud. 2 white with sparse red-brown blotches, eggs are laid. Both parents raise the young. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The diet includes frogs, small snakes, crabs, insects and fish. It also scavenges. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
| + | Call: a mewing ''keeyew'', ''kweeaa'' or ''kyeeer'' usually while soaring. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Haliastur+indus}} | {{GSearch|Haliastur+indus}} | ||
Revision as of 17:31, 9 December 2008
- Haliastur indus
Identification
43-51cm. Chestnut, white head and breast, black wing tips, yellow feet. Juveniles are browner.
Distribution
Southern Asia to Australia. Breeds in much of India and Sri Lanka and in mainly coastal areas from Burma and southern China south to Malaya and from the Philippines, Borneo and Sumatra east to New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands, and Australia. In Australia a northern coastal species found from about Shark Bay in Western Australia to central New South Wales. Resident.
Taxonomy
Four subspecies are recognised: nominate race breeds from India to China and Indochina, intermedius in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, girrenera in Australia, New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago and flavirostris in the Solomon Islands.
Habitat
Coastal mudflats, islands, estuaries and mangroves up to 2,300m. In some areas common in coastal towns.
Behaviour
It nests in mangrove trees, close to water. The nest is made of twigs and sticks, often lined with dried mud. 2 white with sparse red-brown blotches, eggs are laid. Both parents raise the young.
The diet includes frogs, small snakes, crabs, insects and fish. It also scavenges.
Vocalisation
Call: a mewing keeyew, kweeaa or kyeeer usually while soaring.
