Foraging, Breeding Behaviour and Diet of a Family of Black-shouldered Kites 'Elanus axillaris' near Tamworth, New South Wales

Abstract

The foraging, breeding behaviour and diet of a family of Black-shouldered Kites Elanus axillaris were studied by 68 hours of observation from the incubation period to the end of the post-fledging period, and by analysis of pellets, near Tamworth on the North-west Slopes of New South Wales in April-July 2004. The male Kite foraged mostly in mid morning and early to mid afternoon, aerially (82% of search time), with 77% of 44 attacks successful. Pellets (n = 30) consisted entirely of House Mice Mus domesticus, and observed prey items were mice (n = 58) or mouse-sized mammals (n = 3). The male's capture, consumption and prey-delivery rates peaked in the week before fledging (mean 0.9, 1.2 and 1.2 captures/h in the incubation, nestling and post-fledging phases, respectively). The female performed most care of eggs and nestlings, though the male performed a minor share of incubation and brooding. The nestling period lasted 36 days, and post-fledging period at least 36 days with parental feeding for at least 22 days. Parental behaviour, vocalisations, hunting behaviour, and development of juveniles are described.