Population
Estimated population is 1,000 - 10,000 (2010).
Status LC
Habitat clearance for agriculture is the main threat. Egg-collecting and shooting are also of concern.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
Singly or pairs.
Food
Insects, reptiles and nesting birds.
Voice
A thin, high, single-noted whistle. Hoarse contralto yelp near the nest.
Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) [XC574512]
by Tom Tarrant from Kobble Creek, Moreton Bay Region, Queensland, Australia (call)
Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) [XC841641]
by Greg McLachlan from Belair National Park (near Belair), City of Mitcham, South Australia, Australia (alarm call)
Nest
A substantial structure of sticks, lined with green leaves, usually placed on a horizontal limb 15 - 20 meters from the ground. The nest may be re-used in sub-sequent seasons.
Eggs (Guide)
2 or 3; coarse-grained, off-white boldly spotted and blotched with red-brown, purple-red or pale purple-grey; rounded-oval to oval; about 53 x 38 mm. Incubation: 35 - 42 days; mainly by female.
Young
Semi-altricial, nidicolous. Fledge in 56 - 70 days.
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Has a forked tail, and dark underwings.
Compare Images
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9