Whistling Kite
Whistling KiteWhistling KiteWhistling KiteWhistling Kite

Whistling Kite

Haliastur sphenurus

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
70–80% · Very likely
overall probability at Kakadu National Park
1,067 Verified records at Kakadu National Park
September Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The whistling kite (Haliastur sphenurus) is a medium-sized diurnal raptor found throughout Australia (including coastal islands), New Caledonia and much of New Guinea (excluding the central mountains and the northwest). Also called the whistling eagle or whistling hawk, it is named for its loud whistling call, which it often gives in flight. Some authorities put this species in the genus Milvus, despite marked differences in behaviour, voice and plumage between this species and other members of that genus. It is one of three birds that intentionally sets or spreads fires to catch prey. The other two are the black kite and brown falcon. Wikipedia →

70–80% of wildlife watchers report a Whistling Kite sighting in Kakadu National Park, based on 1,067 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Kakadu National Park

Brahminy Kite
LC

Brahminy Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliastur indus

<5% · Rare
White-Bellied Sea-Eagle
LC

White-Bellied Sea-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus leucogaster

30–40% · Possible
Black Kite
LC

Black Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Milvus migrans

30–40% · Possible
Wedge-tailed Eagle
LC Endemic

Wedge-tailed Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aquila audax

5–10% · With luck
Black-breasted Kite
LC Endemic

Black-breasted Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hamirostra melanosternon

<5% · Rare
Pacific Baza
LC

Pacific Baza

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aviceda subcristata

<5% · Rare
Red Goshawk
EN Endemic

Red Goshawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Erythrotriorchis radiatus

<5% · Rare
Little Eagle
LC Endemic

Little Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hieraaetus morphnoides

<5% · Rare
Swamp Harrier
LC

Swamp Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus approximans

<5% · Rare
Black-shouldered Kite
LC Endemic

Black-shouldered Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Elanus axillaris

<5% · Rare
Square-tailed Kite
LC Endemic

Square-tailed Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lophoictinia isura

Insufficient data
Spotted Harrier
LC

Spotted Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus assimilis

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

50–60
Jan
70–80
Feb
60–70
Mar
70–80
Apr
80–90
May
70–80
Jun
70–80
Jul
70–80
Aug
80–90
Sep
80–90
Oct
70–80
Nov
60–70
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Kakadu National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
70–80%
2 Litchfield National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
40–50%
3 Nitmiluk National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
40–50%
4 Ningaloo Marine Park 🇦🇺 Australia
30–40%
5 Booderee National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
20–30%
6 Grampians National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
10–20%
7 Daintree National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
10–20%
8 Flinders Ranges National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
10–20%
9 Noosa National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
5–10%
10 Great Otway National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
5–10%
11 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
12 Springbrook National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
13 Kosciuszko National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
14 Wilsons Promontory National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
15 Blue Mountains National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
16 Royal National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
17 Lamington National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
18 Lorentz National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Whistling Kite in Kakadu National Park?

About 78% of wildlife watchers report a Whistling Kite sighting in Kakadu National Park, based on 1,067 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Whistling Kite in Kakadu National Park?

September has the highest sighting rate for Whistling Kite in Kakadu National Park in our monthly data.

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