The Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) and the Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) are two of Australis more common and widespread birds of prey.
Both can be seen on most days birding, and are often seen hovering about the grassy edges of freeways. They are other the bird of prey you see while going to look for other birds. As a result I think that they can be undervalued at times.
As you can see they are really rather good looking birds, and I think their ubiquity should not reduce how they are valued!
Anyway, both of these birds were hunting around the bushes and roadside edges of the Werribee Sewage works. Although you can see it, the Nakeen Kestrel has a mouse (?) in its claws until it objected to my presence and flew off.
The Black-shouldered Kite was just sitting and making occasional forays into the local area, until it too objected to my presence and felt off as well.
As ever, to join in with WBW click on the blue link below. Cheers SM
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteI love the "Are you looking at me?!" head tilts! All birds are worth our time, Stewart, I agree - ubiquity should not count against them! YAM xx
I love black-shouldered kites, we used to have many of them in the old Rhodesian days. There do not seem to be so many around in S.Africa on our last couple of visits :-) They have though recently appeared in France, I have friends in the Dordogne who have spotted a few in the last couple of years. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful birds which look different but the behaviour is similar! Great captures!
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ReplyDeleteIt's always thrilling to see them, like fighter jets! Aloha friend
The Black-shouldered Kite is a stunning bird.
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful birds and wonderful pictures. The black shouldered kite is very handsome
ReplyDeleteThese are such pretty birds, the first one's feathers remind me of a warriors armor.
ReplyDeleteExcellent bird portraits. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteExcellent blog of the birds of prey. I like white one. Have a nice weekend !
ReplyDeleteI knew the Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) but not the Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), it seems bigger than the Falcon! In my garden, I sometimes see sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) tearing apart a small passerine bird by pinning it to the ground and holding the two small wings outstretched with its legs, it cruelly tears the belly of its prey: when the stomach speaks, there is no heart! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteNice! I've only ever seen kites sitting still once! And I think that was before I had the digital. I keep trying to get pictures of them fllying, but I'm so slow and old ...and they never seem to land.
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