EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

4-10 September 2006

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Black-shouldered Kite

Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), 
Queensland, Australia

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:   This lithe and beautiful little raptor is checking out a pasture in tropical Queensland, northeast Australia. 

Black-shouldered Kites hunt from such perches in open country.  They also hover like kestrels.  They often hunt during crepuscular time periods.

This species, like the similar Letter-winged Kite (Elanus scriptus), are specialist predators of small mammals.  Black-shouldered Kites may have increased over the past century along the Australian coasts because of increases in one of their introduced prey species, the house mouse.  

 

Information:
     Simpson, K., and N. Day.  1999.  Field guide to the birds of Australia.  Sixth edition. Penguin Books, Victoria, Australia.  440 pp.

 

Next week's picture:  Sandhills Hornet, a.k.a. Yellow Jacket

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