Whistling Kite
Whistling KiteWhistling KiteWhistling KiteWhistling Kite

Whistling Kite

Haliastur sphenurus

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
30–40% · Possible
overall probability at Ningaloo Marine Park
146 Verified records at Ningaloo Marine Park
December 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 →

30–40% of wildlife watchers report a Whistling Kite sighting in Ningaloo Marine Park, based on 146 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Ningaloo Marine Park

Brahminy Kite
LC

Brahminy Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliastur indus

10–20% · With luck
White-Bellied Sea-Eagle
LC

White-Bellied Sea-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus leucogaster

10–20% · With luck
Black-shouldered Kite
LC Endemic

Black-shouldered Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Elanus axillaris

10–20% · With luck
Wedge-tailed Eagle
LC Endemic

Wedge-tailed Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aquila audax

10–20% · With luck
Spotted Harrier
LC

Spotted Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus assimilis

5–10% · With luck
Black Kite
LC

Black Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Milvus migrans

<5% · Rare
Little Eagle
LC Endemic

Little Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hieraaetus morphnoides

<5% · Rare
Swamp Harrier
LC

Swamp Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus approximans

Insufficient data
Black-breasted Kite
LC Endemic

Black-breasted Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hamirostra melanosternon

Insufficient data
Eastern Osprey

Eastern Osprey

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pandion cristatus

40–50% · Likely
Osprey
LC

Osprey

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pandion haliaetus

40–50% · Likely

📅 Monthly Probability

30–40
Jan
20–30
Feb
30–40
Mar
30–40
Apr
30–40
May
20–30
Jun
30–40
Jul
20–30
Aug
30–40
Sep
20–30
Oct
30–40
Nov
50–60
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 Ningaloo Marine Park?

About 34% of wildlife watchers report a Whistling Kite sighting in Ningaloo Marine Park, based on 146 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Whistling Kite in Ningaloo Marine Park?

December has the highest sighting rate for Whistling Kite in Ningaloo Marine Park in our monthly data.

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