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Brahminy Kite eating on the wing

on 3rd September 2008

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The Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) is carnivorous, taking a variety of animal foods like mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and even carrion. It forages by quartering, seizing its prey by gliding down or diving. Sometimes it even gives a short chase at ground level.

Prey is often eaten on the wing. This is thought to cut down on losses to other birds, although the bird themselves are prone to kleptoparasitism – robbing other birds of their food.

The images here show a Brahminy Kite with a bird clutched in its talon (left top) and regularly taking bites when in flight (left bottom). Other raptors usually take the prey to a perch where it is eaten (see related posts below).

Input and images by Willis.

This post is a cooperative effort between www.naturepixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

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