- Brahminy Kite
Taxobox
name = Brahminy Kite
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
image_width = 225px
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Aves
ordo =Falconiformes
familia =Accipitridae
genus = "Haliastur "
species = "H. indus"
binomial = "Haliastur indus"
binomial_authority = Boddaert, 1783The Brahminy Kite "(Haliastur indus)", also known as the Red-backed Sea-eagle, is a medium-sizedbird of prey in the familyAccipitridae , which also includes many other diurnal raptors such aseagle s,buzzard s and harriers.This kite is a familiar sight in the skies of
India ,Pakistan ,Bangladesh , and southeastAsia and as far south asNew South Wales ,Australia , through which region it is widespread and resident.It has a typical kite flight, with wings angled, but its tail is rounded unlike the "
Milvus " species,Red Kite andBlack Kite , which have forked tails. The Brahminy Kite is an attractive bird, with chestnut plumage except for the white head and breast and black wing tips. The juveniles are browner, but can be distinguished from both the resident and migratory races of Black Kite in Asia by the paler appearance, shorter wings and rounded tail.This species nests in trees, often close to water. It feeds as a scavenger, particularly on dead fish and crabs, especially in wetlands and marshland.
The call is a mewing "keeyew".
Known as Elang Bondol in Indonesia, the Brahminy Kite is the official mascot of
Jakarta . In Malaysia, the island of Langkawi is named after the bird ('kawi' denoting anochre -like stone used to decorate pottery, and a reference to the bird's primary plumage colour). In Bangladesh it is known as Shonkho Chil.It is evaluated as Least Concern on the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.References
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
External links
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6660000/newsid_6660500?redirect=6660523.stm&news=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1&nbram= Click Here]
* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3358&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=49333 IUCN Red List]
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