This “Brahminy” eats many different things, including some smaller birds…maybe, even the occasional Brahminy starling!
Haliastur Indus – the Brahminy kite – is mostly seen near wetlands, lakes, rivers and ocean shores.
Its regal appearance notwithstanding, the Brahminy kite is primarily a scavenger; its weak feet make it unable to “deal with” large prey.
I have seen this distinctive, handsome raptor many times in India…and a few times in Australia.
If my home was in tropical Australia, I would almost certainly have seen it a great many more times.
As is true in India, it is not a rare raptor in Australia, where its range extends south to Carnarvon on our west coast, and to Wollongong on our east coast.
Not a few Australians still (incorrectly) call Brahminy kites “red-backed sea eagles”.
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Photo is copyright Doug Spencer, taken at 12.03 pm on 21 February 2023, near Vembanad Lake, Kerala.