Monday 15 April 2013

Black Kite

Pays to take your camera when going to the local rubbish tip. At the end of last month when we had some rubbish to get rid of, we saw 20 Black Kite flying over the tip. Very unusual for our area, and I did not have the camera with me then. On our next trip, I made sure I had it with me hoping they would still be there, and this time there were 8 flying around.
Click on photos to enlarge.

 Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Another name for the Black Kite is Fork-tailed Kite. 


  



The fork-tail is not always obvious.
The tail is often twisted from side to side in flight.


Normally an inland species, one of the Black Kites favourite food sources, apart from rubbish tips, are fire fronts where they feed on a variety of small animals flushed out or killed. 

For more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday


15 comments:

mick said...

Great in-flight photos and very interesting plumage visible on the birds.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The kites are beautiful -- kind of funny to think of them hanging out at the "dump" (our even less lovely word for rubbish tip). I love and envy the flight shots. And you definitely shouldn't go anywhere without your camera!

eileeninmd said...

The Kites are cool birds, awesome sighting and photos!

Hootin Anni said...

My gosh, that is what I can being in the right place at the right time. Good going!!!

Karen said...

Nice in-flight captures!

thewovenspoke said...

I love to see birds like Kites in flight so graceful.

Carletta said...

A good reason to always take a camera.
Wonderful captures! I especially like the one you used as your linky shot showing that pattern detail.

NatureStop said...

Nice flight shots. Have a great day!

Shantana

Stewart M said...

Tips and sewage works are always good places for birds. Alway take your camera along!

Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.

Stewart M - Melbourne

Sharon Wagner said...

I think you captured every angle of flight. Very nice.

grammie g said...

HI Neil...Love to watch the soaring and gliding of the big guys!!
Nice flight shot's of your Kite...I have been chasing down many hawks with the camera lately : )
Grace

Arija said...

Great flight shot and you actually managed to get one with light on it. I find our kites and haws hard to photograph because one is seldom higher than they are and the light, except when they veer, is invariably from above.

Phil Slade said...

Nice shots Neil.Good to know someone clears up after us humans.

Wally Jones said...

Neil, wonderful in-flight shots! That's a beautiful raptor.
Thank you for sharing!

EG CameraGirl said...

Very cool! And now you know to take your camera EVERYWHERE! :))