Bird guideSquare-tailed Kite

Uncommon, inconspicuous raptor with a fairly small bill.

⚠️VIC: Vulnerable; WA: Endangered; NT: Vulnerable
🚫Sensitive species — location data may be restricted
🌿Endemic to Australia

At a glance

FamilyHawks, Eagles, and Kites
SizeGiant
RarityCommon
HabitatSails over forest woodland habitats just above the tree canopy, typically with little wing movement.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from April to August.

Sounds

Sound sample
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Recorded by Greg McLachlan

Range map

Range map

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Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Adult has a pale head and reddish underparts with black streaks on neck. Juvenile has a more reddish head with less streaking. In flight, tail has obvious square corners with a dark band at the base. Occurs singly or in pairs. At a distance, and particularly when heavily worn, take care to identify juvenile birds from Black Kite, which has more uniformly patterned plumage.

Behavior

Sails over forest woodland habitats just above the tree canopy, typically with little wing movement.

Regional timing

Western Australia
Peak: August to October4,375 records
New South Wales
Peak: August to April4,094 records
Queensland
Peak: April to August6,842 records
Northern Territory
Peak: June to July475 records
Victoria
Peak: September to January3,202 records
Australian Capital Territory
Peak: December31 records
South Australia
Peak: September to January292 records

Commonly confused with

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