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Whistling Kite


Whistling Kite
Photo Information
Copyright: jon cody (darwin) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 0 N: 403] (1393)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-30
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 40D, 100-400L is
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/2500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Prey- RAPTORS (II) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-10-11 19:18
Viewed: 1046
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Whistling Kite
(Milvus sphenurus)

Gliding slowly at low attitudes, or soaring high in the sky, the Whistling Kite is a graceful bird. It flaps with slow wing-beats and when gliding holds its wings horizontally but bowed downwards at the tip. As it flies it sometimes utters its loud whistling call but it does not twist its tail when manoeuvring.

The Whistling Kite is found throughout Australia, but it is most common in open wooded country near swamps, rivers, or the coast. Although rather sedentary, it will shift about, congregating on eruptions of prey in the inland and leaving during famines. It is also somewhat communal around large kills, but just as often forages alone.

Like other kites, it sails about searching for living or dead prey on the ground, swooping down and feeding on it there if it is too large to carry. Although adept at hunting – small mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, crustaceans and large insects – it is as much a scavenger, feeding on carrion of any sort including animals killed by traffic on roads.

Whistling Kites are opportunistic breeders, pairs sometimes courting in groups and tolerating on another’s nests in the same tree. Courting birds soaring about the nest tree without spectacular aerial manoeuvres but call much from high exposed perches or in flight. Most pairs return to use the same nest – of sticks lined with fresh green leaves – year after year, or even twice in a season, adding to its bulk every time. Like other kites, the female incubates 2-3 eggs and broods while the male hunts, and passes all food to the chicks when they are young.
jaycee, CeltickRanger, uleko, SelenE, Argus, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2377 W: 94 N: 5465] (17432)
  • [2008-10-12 3:12]

Hello Jon,
Very beautiful photo of this Whistling Kite (also known as the haliastur sphenurus) in flight. Excellent sharpness and colours which stands out beautiful against the clear blue sky. Great timing and POV.
Regards,
Peter

Wow...that phto. It is very beatiful. The POV is excellent.
TFS
Angelo

Excellent capture against a stunning blue sky. Details and colouration both first class, a fine upload to be proud of.....

hello Jon

excellent shot of this kite in his flight, fine POV and framing,
excellent sharpness and details, i love the contrast
of the kite's colour and the with the sky, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2983 W: 162 N: 911] (2687)
  • [2008-10-13 1:48]

Hello Jon,
Superb in-flight capture of a Whistling Kite in beautiful light. Great focus on the eye, sharp details and the colours of its plumage look really beautiful. Well done!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  •      
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-10-13 10:24]

Hi Jon,

A marvelous capture of this Kite in flight. I love the position of the wings and their beautiful shading. The face is magnificent - the eye is wonderful. The position of the legs is fascinating. Excellent details throughout and a superb compositions.

Jane

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2404 W: 63 N: 4226] (13818)
  • [2008-10-14 23:46]

Hi Jon,
A very nice inflight capture of this whistling kite. Good lighting, pose, POV and composition. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3800 W: 190 N: 11298] (34839)
  • [2008-10-15 1:10]

Hello Jon,
An excellent in-flight of a Whistling Kite taken from a fine side POV with good sharpness and light management against a blue sky. Nice catchlight in the eye too.
TFS this beaut,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 545 W: 0 N: 735] (3213)
  • [2008-10-17 5:02]

Hi Jon
very nice image
very good sharp and detail
well done.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2008-10-20 12:26]

Hello Jon, fantastic in-flight shot, well composed, good exposure and very sharp! Well done, thanks!

Mario

Hi Jon,
Very good in-flight capture of this great bird. You have good low POV, great composition, sharp details, good panning technique.
TFS
Pekka

The exposure and birds color look very good Jon.
Great detail, POV, pose, and framing here :)
Well done!
Howard

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