Whistling Kites have a much scruffier look than last week’s sleek Black-shouldered Kite.
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
1/2000, f9.0, ISO 800
These magnificent kites can be found across Australia. They stand about 60cm in height, weigh up to a kilogram, with a wingspan of almost 1.5m. Females are larger than males and the species are named in honour of their distinctive two-pitched whistle. Their call can be heard in the excellent, emotive movie ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ though the bird footage is of a Black Kite. This is typical of movies, Kookaburras are often heard calling from African jungles. At least Whistling Kites and Black Kites live in the same country.
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
1/2000, f9.0, ISO 800
Whistling Kites feed on all kinds of critters including small mammals, birds, fish and insects. They also feed on carrion. If it is safe to do so it’s good to move roadkill onto the verge to help prevent birds of prey becoming secondary victims.
A couple of years ago I was incredibly lucky to see two Whistling Kite playing with a rabbit bone, whilst in flight. I shared the experience in the post Kites Playing Catch
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
1/250, f5.0, ISO 3200
The birds in this week’s post are from conservation/rehabilitation organisations. The kite above was indoors, I won’t use a flash to photograph birds; you may have noticed the wide open aperture, high ISO and a shutter speed about one tenth of that in the other images.
I need to choose one of these images but am finding it tricky to choose my favourite portrait, if only we could ask birds to turn a little and keep still for a moment I’d have a better chance of getting a perfect shot. I’d be interested to hear if anyone has a preference, either by adding a comment here or via my email address on the contact page.
Happy birding
Kim
Duck Shooting Update
Monday is the final day of this year’s Victorian Duck Shooting season. Once again it has been sickening with dead and dying birds left scattered around the wetlands. Rescuers from the Coalition Against Duck Shooting have been out in force for the past three months and will be out again this week searching for birds that need veterinary help. My heartfelt thanks to the rescuers, the organisers, the vets and the wildlife shelter operators who truly care about our native birds and their habitats. My thanks also to everyone who has written, and continues to write, to members of parliament – when our voices are louder than the voices of the shooters we will win this battle for the birds.
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[…] Whistling Kite Portraits (click to see images) – here are the collated responses from the ‘which portrait is best’ post. I’ve tracked down just under 100 votes and have included people’s comments. Thank you so much, it was fascinating to hear your responses and a great reminder of how we all see something different, which is one of my favourite things about photography. […]
It’s a toss up for me between the first and the third! The first really strikes me. They are all wonderful pictures of a majestic bird!
For me, Whistling Kites are very linked to duck season. I often hear their haunting call and see them wheeling overhead when I am traipsing around wetlands with the CADS crew. Sadly the first shot protected species I found was a Whistling Kite. All our native birds deserve protection, hopefully the end of duck shooting is not far away. Thanks for raising awareness! It’s the birdwatchers and photographers that will really see an end to this archaic sport.
It is sickening that anyone would get pleasure from shooting anything let alone one of these magnificent birds. Thank you for caring so much that you found yourself in such a situation. I join with you in hoping that there is soon a permanent end to this so-called ‘sport’ xo
All photos amazing, with such different expressions. I’m choosing the third one as the kite appears to need a ‘self esteem boost’!!
What a funny reason for your choice, I like it, it says a lot about you 🙂
Kim you haven’t said if there’s a context for the choice. My favourite is the first one for its quizzical expression. I love the intense expression of the third one, but it doesn’t appear as sharp, at least not on my portable device.
I was hoping to choose one image for entry into an international salon. There is definitely some DOF softness in the third image but the eye is sharp and I’m actually starting to like the effect more than I did to start with. I called the first image ‘Curious Kite’, quizzical would have been better
I think the third is my favourite, for the colours and the eye, but all three are lovely portraits!
And yes it would actually be possible to hear a Whistling Kite while watching a Black Kite. I’m pretty sure there’s a kookaburra call in Jurassic Park 2. Not possible to be seeing a dinosaur and hearing a kookaburra.
Thank you Emma. How funny about the jurassic kookaburra!
No 1 look majestic; no 2 looks as though it’s been taken by surprise; no 3 as a close up reveals its beautiful eyes… I think no 1 for me!
Thank you Jeni! So interesting to hear your thoughts
Dear Kim the pictures are all stunning and that beak is certainly one incredible weapon. Beautiful photos as usual.
I join with you to again congratulate every single person who has selflessly spent hours saving birds injured and dying on the wetlands during the horrific duck shooting season – they are amazing and yes we all must raise our voices and get louder and louder as the wind is changing and it has been noted less shooters are out destroying our unique wildlife and we are the voice for the voiceless.
Your pictures of all our amazing feathered friends show very clearly why they are so special and must be protected.
Sending thank you on behalf of all our feathered friends to the rescuers and thank you for sharing and caring.
It certainly is a bill that means business!
Thank you for your kind word about the CADS team and all the others who care about our native wildlife
I like the first one too, captures the birds regal look!
Thank you Donna
Wonderful variety of expressions, Kim. Maybe disbelief/shock, somewhat supercilious scrutiny and some kind of intent, to be totally anthropomorphic! Great shots as always.
I like being anthropomorphic, it’s very appropriate I think. Awesome descriptors, thank you
Denise and I both like the last photo best, but they are all lovely photos as per usual Kim. Looking at the preceding posts, we aren’t helping much, are we.
It’s been fascinating to see readers’ thoughts. I’m pretty sure number three ended up getting most ‘votes’. Thanks to you and Denise
Very difficult to choose a favourite. I love the head feathers and stance of the bird in the first photo, the expression in the second, and the colour and detail of the feathers in the third. I would choose the first, but it is not an easy choice.
Thank you Meredith. If only I could have captured all those facets in one shot!
I’ll go the second one
Thank you Greg
I love them all. My very slight preference is for the first, though I am not entirely sure why.
Thanks EC
i like the first one best. some blurry background behind a bold and cheeky look
Thank you!