birding-aus

Black Kite swooping

To: "Birding-aus" <>
Subject: Black Kite swooping
From: "Jon Wren" <>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 11:58:08 +1000
Gooday all,
This morning I was doing an Atlas Count at Liechhardt Tree Ck near Bowen Qld. I was sitting on a large fallen branch listening to and observing the birds. A Black Kite that I recognised from previous visits swooped me twice. On the third swoop the bird decided to actually make contact with the top of my head sending my sunglasses flying with a sudden thud, no skin was broken and no hair lost. As it came from behind I had no warning and didn't even hear the usual noise made by the birds wings I have been recording on my Atlas sheets over the last two months the fact that the Black Kites in this area seem to enjoy swooping over the head of an observer. At the time of the strike I was wearing high visibility clothing that may have been a reason that upset the bird in question. Also for consideration is the fact that over the previous two weeks a pair of Pacific Baza's have been building and collecting material for a nest. This action seemed to create some friction between the two birds of prey with the Black Kites chasing the Pacific Baza.
Have any other Birders experienced similar behaviour with Black Kites?

Jon Wren

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