Birds of Prey
The birds of prey are a large and ecologically important groupthat includes the eagles, falcons, kites, hawks and others. Due to their effective powers of flight, many of the species of raptors that are found locally are also reasonably widespread. They usually form stable, monogamous pairs that co-operate to build large nests and look after their chicks. The females tend to be y bigger than the males, which allows an overlapping range of different size prey to be caught. in australia...In Australia, birds of prey are most common and obvious in the skies above the more eopn habitats, such as tropical savanna and arid areas. They are easy to see because of the open canopy and clear skies. Because they are open habitat animals, some have also adapted well to human areas such as urbans parks, gardens, farms and towns.
where to see birds of prey in Australia...Birds of prey are easiest to see, and are probably most common, in open tropical and arid woodlands and grasslands. In fact, it is surprising how many different raptors one can see when driving across northern tropical and central arid Australia.
Their feeding ecology determines the ease of viewing of many species. Because they are top-of-the-food-chain predators, they are not necessarily afraid of other animals, and will perch in the open. And because they have to look for their food over a wide and open area, they frequently perch atop high, obvious places where they are easily seen, or soar high and obviously in the air, all of which allows for easy viewing. Their large size and slow flight also contributes to easier viewing. Some of the more successful habitat generalists, such as black kites, are often widespread across different habitats, and easy to see..
species include...
- Eastern Pacific Osprey. Easily seen along tropical coasts. There are several nests in tropical settlements, where the nest is huge and placed prominently, often on a bar tree or even human made structure. In Cairns, there is a nest near the ambulance station on Anderson street Manunda, in Broome there is a nest at Town Beach. - the Black Kite. This species can be often be seen on the edge of bush fires, and around human habitation, especially dumps. - the Whistling Kite; similar to the Black Kite, but streakier in pattern when seen perched, and usually not such a forked tail when in flight. Can also be seen around northern tropical towns and dumps, etc. - the Wedge-tailed Kite; the largest of the all the Australian Birds of Prey, often found in on roads in the outback feeding on road kill. They look huge when on the road, and sometimes take some time to take off, so don't run them over! - White-bellied Sea Eagle; relatively common along seashores around Australia and even freshwater bodies. - Crested Baza; the only bird of prey in Australia with a crest. Harder to see, sometimes spotted above tropical woodlands, occasionally seen in the tropical rainforest canopy.
|
