Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)

The Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) or Australian black-shouldered kite is a small raptor found in open habitat throughout Australia.  Although I am not a raptor person, this one really caught my eye at Lake Coolmunda because he really was hovering just like a kite.  He then swooped down quickly and flew to a fence pole where I could see he had caught a rat.  I was so impressed, I was ready to offer him a job keeping my house free from rodents!

IMG_0368 IMG_0369 IMG_0373 IMG_0374Their range is basically all of Australia.  They seem to be territorial as I saw this one (at least I think it was the same one) on all 3 days we were at Lake Coolmunda in the same area.

Kite rangeLEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BIRD

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Birds in Backyards

Australian Wildlife Conservancy

 

VIDEOS

See how they hover while hunting for prey.

Nice close-up