Black shouldered Kites, Square tailed Kites, Whistling Kites and Brahminy Kites can all be found in our area.
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Black shouldered Kites are very common in the Hunter Valley and can usually be found along Oakhampton Road.
They are early nesting birds usually starting about April, with the nest always high up in the fork of a tree.
Kites' feeding habits are very similar to our Australian Kestrel, hovering above the ground before diving on their prey.
Square tailed Kites appear to be all over the country. I have encountered them on my trips to the outback on a number of occasions.
On my last trip I found one feeding on a Kangaroo carcass (pictured), quite a common sight in outback Australia. In flight, they have broad wings and they derive lift off from the slightest updraft or thermal.
I've found most of the Brahminy Kites I've photographed in North Queensland. For this photograph (pictured above) I was hunting in a small dam near Cooktown.
I spotted the pair nesting at the rear of the dam, which was difficult to get closer because of the heavy growth. At the front of the dam the water was clear and one bird kept flying low over the clear water so I set myself in a good position to get the shot of the bird diving on a fish.
There I waited. For two hours. But it kept hunting without making a strike. You get some shots, but not always.