Whistling kite
Haliastur sphenurus
While many mistake these Horse Swamp regulars for the wedge-tailed eagle on first glance, there are some tell-tale differences to help you identify the whistling kites in the Park.
Despite being a similar colouration to the wedge-tailed eagle, they are a smaller bird and have a distinctive pale 'M' on the underbody. There is also a difference in their leg feathers, with the whistling kite’s leg feathers finishing higher up the leg. As local eagle specialist and one of the Park’s consultant ecologists, Simon Cherriman would say, "eagles wear pants, while kites wear shorts".
Look for these birds of prey hunting in the skies around Horse Swamp.
FAUNA PROFILE
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Scientific name | Haliastur sphenurus |
| Noongar name | |
| Common name | whistling kite |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Habitat | open woodlands and wetlands |
| Park occurrence | Resident |
Above: a whistling kite, with its short leg feathers, landed at Horse Swamp.
Banner image: whistling kite overhead, courtesy of P. Melling.