Observations on the Nesting Behaviour of the Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus on Penang Island, Malaysia

Abstract

A study of the breeding behaviour of the Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus was conducted at the campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia, from January to March 2009 for a total observation time of 50 h on 63 days. It was found that the pair of Kites covered the egg for 91% of the total observation time. Although both the female and the male shared incubation, the presumed female performed most (71%). The egg failed to hatch because the nest fell down on the 40th day. The pair constructed a new nest adjacent to the former nest; however, after 12 days the nest was abandoned because of disturbance by human activities close to the nest-site. Prey captured and brought to the nest consisted mostly of fish.