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Hi everyone,
For the past couple of months we have been introducing a new raptor into our show. A beautiful male Brahminy Kite named Zephyr. When Zephyr was quite young he came into care at another sanctuary after sustained a leg injury. Due to the extended period of time required to rehabilitate this bird he was unable to be released back to where he was found. However, Zephyr has shown us just how wonderful he is as an advocate for his species as he enjoys flying free in our Bird of Prey show.
Zephyr is 2 years old and the last of his juvenile colours have faded leaving a beautiful white head and chest and chestnut coloured wings. A number of Brahminy Kites live on the Brisbane River and are often seen in pairs circling above the stretch of river at Lone Pine. Visitors arriving at the Sanctuary on the Ferry often report having watched them hunting for fish on their trip up the river. Often mistaken for sea-eagles, the Brahminy Kite are a lot smaller in size and weight and as adults their wings are a distinct rufous-brown colour with black tips. Adult White-bellied sea-eagles have large (over 2 metres) grey wings.
In Australia we only have one diurnal (daytime) raptor that is known to hunt at night - the very rare Letter-winged Kite. However observations by fishermen in North Queensland have discovered that Brahminy Kites regularly hunt for insects at night in glow cast by marina lights.
Find our more fascinately facts about Brahminy Kites and many other wonderful Australian Raptors when you watch them free-flying in our show.
Happy Raptor spotting!
Naomi ;) |
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