Brahminy Kite

Beree-Badalla Reserve, Gold Coast

The brahminy kite has a very wide range across tropical Asia and is common in Iran, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and in South East Asia. In Australlia. it is widespread in the North and East as far as northern New South Wales. They are nomadic in response to rainfall in some parts of their range.

Habitat

Brahminy kites inhabit mainly coastal areas and inland wetlands.

Feeding

Brahminy kites are scavengers with dead crabs and fish forming a major part of their diet. They occasionally take live prey such as bats and hares.They are kleptoparasites and will steal the catches of other birds such as gulls, osprey and ibis often harassing them  in midair..

Breeding

Brahminy kites construct nests in trees from branches and twigs with an inner bowl lined with seaweed, lichens and leaves. They often nest in the same area over several years, always near water. The female is mainly responsible for incubating the one or  two dull white or bluish eggs and both parents feed the chicks.

Wildfile Specials

• Brahminy kites have been seen plundering fish driven to the surface by dolphins on the Mekong River.
• Young brahminy kites playfully from leaves and try to catch them in the air, sometimes falling into the water but swimming and flying off without difficulty.
• Brahminy kite have poor grip in their feet and cannot take large prey.
• As many as 600 brahminy kites have been seen roosting communally in one location.

In Local Culture

• The brahminy kite is the official mascot of Jakarta
• In the Hindu religion, the brahminy kite is considered to be the modern representation of Guaruda, Vishnu's sacred bird.
• In Iban culture in Sarawak, the brahminy kite is the earthly form of "Singalang Burung", the god of war.