|
This afternoon I saw a Black Kite soaring low
over our house with a smaller bird in its talons. It was hard to determine what
it had caught but it appeared to be either a Red Wattlebird or a Spiny Cheeked
Honeyeater. It appeared to be too large for a White Plumed Honeyeater. All of
these are common around here.
What intrigued me was that the Kite was plucking all the
feathers from its prey as it soared leisurely overhead. I watched it for some
3-4 minutes and it continued to pluck while on the wing.
I have often seen raptors sitting on the ground or perched in
a tree while eating prey but I cannot recall ever seeing any raptor plucking its
prey while flying. Is this common?
Happy birding.
Trevor Hampel
Murray Bridge
South
Australia
| 