Breeding Diet at Two Whistling Kite Nests near Canberra

Abstract

In August-September 2003, we located two Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus nests in the Canberra region and monitored the Kites' diet throughout the nesting period. The Kites consumed animals of five different major taxa: mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects. Birds (43.6% by number and 33.3% of biomass) and mammals (41.0 and 57.4% respectively) dominated the diet, with the European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus the most common prey item (25.6%, n = 10) as well as the one that contributed most to the dietary biomass (36.1%). Several large food items were identified, which indicates that either the local Whistling Kites rely heavily on carrion during the breeding season or that they hunt larger prey than previously thought; both possibilities contrast with what is currently reported for the species.