Letter-winged Kite.
Photo: F Park © F Park
Distribution map of Elanus scriptus
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Letter-winged Kite
Scientific name: Elanus scriptus
Family: Accipitridae
Order: Falconiformes
What does it look like?
Description
The Letter-winged Kite is a small to medium-sized raptor (bird of prey). It has a white head, tail and underparts, and is mostly pale grey above. The female bird has a greyer crown. A distinctive black 'W' shape across the underside of its long, broad white wings gives the bird its name. When perching, it has an obvious black shoulder patch. Its large eyes, which are a bright red, are surrounded by black eye-patches, giving it an owl-like appearance. The legs are flesh-coloured.
Similar species
The Letter-winged Kite is very similar to the Black-shouldered Kite, E. axillarus, but has a slower, deeper wing beat when flying. The Letter-winged Kite has the black under-wing 'W' pattern, and lacks the black wing tips of the Black-shouldered Kite. The Black-shouldered Kite is often seen hovering in the daytime, while the Letter-winged Kite is a nocturnal hunter.
Where does it live?
Distribution
The Letter-winged Kite is an endemic species, found in the arid inland regions of western Queensland, northern South Australia and the south of Northern Territory. However it is an irruptive species (has sudden population increases), dispersing to the coast when food is plentiful and there are rat or mouse plagues.
Habitat
The Letter-winged Kite is a bird of open country and grasslands in arid and semi-arid Australia, where there are tree-lined streams or water courses. When food is plentiful, the species irrupts and birds may disperse to higher rainfall coastal regions. This kite roosts by day in the high canopy of leafy trees and is the only member of its family that hunts at night.
Seasonal movements
The Letter-winged Kite is a nomadic species, coinciding with the distribution of its favourite prey species, the Long-haired Rat, Rattus villosissimus. After breeding, birds may congregate around permanent water.
What does it do?
Feeding
The Letter-winged Kite is a nocturnal hunter, pouncing on small rodents and marsupials. Its main prey is the Long-haired Rat.
Breeding
The Letter-winged Kite is an opportunistic breeder. This means that the timing of breeding is variable and may be extended in good seasons. The kites may breed in colonies, from 2 to 100 pairs when conditions are right and food is plentiful. The female mainly incubates, broods and cares for the young, while the male brings food for his mate and the nestlings. If food becomes scarce, the nest and young may be abandoned. The nest is well hidden and made of small sticks and twigs, lined with leaves and often rat fur or regurgitated pellets.
Living with us
Living with humans
This species is generally rare, though numbers fluctuate. During an irruption, they may spread to the coast and hunt over farmlands and fields, even entering towns when mice are plentiful.
References
Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (eds) 1993. Handbook of Australian New Zealand And Antartic Birds Vol. 2: (Raptors To Lapwings). Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Olsen, P., Crome, F. and Olsen, J. 1993. The Birds of Prey and Ground Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.
Beruldsen, G 2003. Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs. Self-published, Queensland.
Hollands, D. 2003, Eagles Hawks and Falcons of Australia. Bloomings Books. Melbourne.