Open-country raptors
Black-shouldered Kite
Elanus axillaris
In focus
The art of hovering
Watch a pale bird pause above a paddock and you may be looking at a Black-shouldered Kite. Its white and grey plumage, black shoulder patches and red eyes are distinctive. By hovering and scanning the ground for small prey, it makes open grasslands and farmland a rewarding place to watch birds.
Where to look
Open country across much of Australia, including the eastern states.
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