{"id":563,"date":"2022-06-23T16:40:35","date_gmt":"2022-06-23T06:40:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/birdingrailtrails.com\/?page_id=563"},"modified":"2022-06-23T17:53:27","modified_gmt":"2022-06-23T07:53:27","slug":"bird-identification-raptors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/victorianbirdwalks.com\/?page_id=563","title":{"rendered":"Bird Identification – Raptors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Raptors are spread across all areas. Some, such as the Square-tailed Kite, the Goshawk and the Sparrowhawk prefer wooded areas whilst most of the others are to be found in more open areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Black Kite – note the forked tail<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With open plains, water bodies and forests this area is home to a variety of raptors. Like other bird species, a little knowledge of behaviour and habitat can help in identifying the various species, some of which are hard to separate at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Widespread across the open plains and farmland the most common species are the Whistling Kite, Black Kite, Brown Falcon, Kestrel and Black-shouldered Kite. If you are lucky you might also see the Australasian Hobby or the Black Falcon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nankeen Kestrel<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Black-shouldered Kite juvenile – note brown head<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both the Kestrel and the Black-shouldered Kite hover over the ground as they hunt for food. They are expert at holding a position with hardly a wing flicker if the wind is blowing. Quite remarkable to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Whistling Kite<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To give some idea of scale here is a Wedge-tailed Eagle being harassed by a Whistling Kite<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Brown Falcon has a variety of colour gradations from very pale to quiet dark. Although a falcon like the Peregrine and Hobby, it is a much slower flier. It is common in grazing areas and open country and is known to be a good snake catcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brown Falcon – pale morph<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brown Falcon – dark morph<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Swamp Harrier <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bothe the Swamp and the Spotted Harriers can be seen in the district. Both favour areas around water but can also be seen quartering pastures and gran crops looking for food. The Swamp Harrier has a distinctive White rump. Flight tends to be slow on upswept wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brown Goshawk<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forests are frequented by the Brown Goshawk and Collared Sparrowhawk. These two species are quire hard to tell apart – even experienced birders sometimes have trouble as evidenced on Facebook groups concerned with bird identification. Both are also common around town in Castlemaine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another lesser know forest dweller is the Square-tailed Kite. It can be seen skimming the tree-tops in search of prey. In this area it can be seen around Rise and Shine and the Muckleford Forest. It has a white head which helps in differentiating it from the Whistling Kite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Square-tailed Kite<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

More likely to be seen near cliffs and high vantage points is the spectacular Peregrine Falcon – the fastest bird clocked at 390kmh in a dive. They also breed on tall building in cities with a well-known site in Melbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Peregrine Falcon<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Also to be seen in open country is the Hobby – in some ways a smaller version of the peregrine, with pointed wings and rapid flight. The Hobby can be identified by its brownish breast.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Views: 6675<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Raptors are spread across all areas. Some, such as the Square-tailed Kite, the Goshawk and the Sparrowhawk prefer wooded areas whilst most of the others are to be found in more open areas. Black Kite – note the forked tail With open plains, water bodies and forests this area is home to a variety of … <\/p>\n

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