Similar to juvenile H. Indus but has longer P and tail. Female larger and heavier than male. Juvenile heavily streaked and spotted. Larger in S than in tropics.
Not Threatened.
Similar to juvenile H. Indus but has longer P and tail. Female larger and heavier than male. Juvenile heavily streaked and spotted. Larger in S than in tropics.
51-59 cm, 380-1050 g, wingspan 123-146 cm
Taxonomy:
- Milvus sphenurus Vieillot, 1818, New South Wales. Placed in genus Milvus by some authorities, but differs in plumage, voice and behaviour. Monotypic. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Distribution:
- Australia, New Caledonia, and New Guinea (except NW and central mountains).
Lightly wooded and open areas, tapically near or over terrestrial and marine wetlands, from sea-level to 1400 m. Nest in woodland, often riparian.
Variety of small animals and carrion, including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, crustaceans, insect. Forages by quartering and high soaring.
Season long and variable, most of dry season in tropics, usually late winter nad spring in S. Solitary. Usually 2 eggs, incubation 35-38 days. Partly migratory and dispersive. NoT, CITES II. Common.