Spirit bird in Rabbit-proof Fence, again

["Philip A. Veerman" <>]

I too have heard Black Kites (in the NT and maybe elsewhere, but only a small number of times) making a call somewhat reminiscent of the Whistling Kite, instead of their usual hoarse (& horse-like) cackle. However even with some structural similarity, no way would you not pick it as different. As for the film, I don't know why some seem to be having difficulty accepting that the visual and the auditory are not the same bird. Film makers do it all the time and the bird is shown and heard repeatedly and is not shown calling. I believe the average Australian (even some I've met in the tour guide industry) think the two species are the same and call them both "kite hawks". Some amazing detective work from Paul C. Hackett (his message to BA today) tells the story.

 

Philip

-----Original Message-----
From: Annabel Ashworth/Hoskins <>
To: birding-aus <>
Date: Monday, 6 January 2003 21:51
Subject: Re: [BIRDING-AUS] Spirit bird in Rabbit-proof Fence

Andrew's comments after my original message are interesting.   The black
kite that I heard calling like a whistling kite was also at Mataranka - in
the camping