Whistling Kite
Haliastur sphenurus
Also known as: Whistling Eagle-Kite
About This Species
Common over open woodland, wetlands, farmland and coastal areas across Australia and parts of New Guinea, it soars on flattish wings giving a distinctive whistling call and often scavenges around water bodies, roadkill or agricultural activity. It is readily seen year-round, with wetlands and river corridors during drier months concentrating birds where food is easiest to find.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A common and adaptable raptor with no special access restrictions beyond general disturbance rules; keep a reasonable distance from any nest tree, since raptors can be sensitive to close approach during breeding, and Australian wildlife law protects native birds and their nests.
- Observing from a vehicle or at a distance with binoculars is generally sufficient and avoids flushing birds from perches or nests.
LCAvesAccipitriformesAccipitridae
Seasonal Activity
446,645 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
Photo
(c) Victor W Fazio III, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Victor W Fazio III
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.