Where does the Black-shouldered Kite live?
Elanus axillaris
Spotted a bird? Identify it instantly with the Birdby app
Open the appThe Black-shouldered Kite lives in specific habitats and regions. Knowing where, and when, to look improves your chances of a successful sighting.
Biomes
Grasslands, open woodlands, agricultural areas, savannas, and suburban parks.
Geographic range
Endemic to mainland Australia, including Tasmania, though less common in dense forests and arid deserts.
Preferred environments
Open country with scattered trees or tall perches for hunting and roosting. Often found near agricultural fields, pastures, and along roadsides where prey is abundant.
Elevation range
Typically found from sea level up to 1,000 meters, occasionally higher.
Where to look
Open Grasslands and Farmlands
These are prime habitats due to the abundance of small rodent prey. Look along fence lines, power lines, and isolated trees.
Roadsides
Often seen hunting along roadsides where verges provide good hunting grounds and power poles offer perches.
Eucalypt Woodlands
Edges of open eucalypt woodlands provide suitable nesting and roosting sites adjacent to hunting areas.
Suburban Parks and Golf Courses
In areas with suitable open grassy spaces and scattered trees, they can adapt to human-modified landscapes.
Field tips
- Look for hovering birds. Scan open areas for birds hovering motionless in the air, often facing into the wind. This is their signature hunting technique.
- Check prominent perches. They often perch conspicuously on dead trees, power poles, or fence posts, surveying their hunting grounds.
- Listen for calls. Their high-pitched 'chee-chee-chee' call can draw attention, especially during the breeding season or when disturbed.
- Observe during rodent outbreaks. During periods of high rodent populations, Black-shouldered Kites can be particularly numerous and active.
Migration
Mostly resident, but can be nomadic in response to prey availability, particularly rodent outbreaks. Local movements are common, especially for younger birds dispersing from natal areas.
Explore the Black-shouldered Kite
Identify birds anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo & sound identification, full species database, and your personal life list.