2/28/2024 0 Comments Brahminy kite dietIt has been noted that in Goa, Brahminy kites get entangled in discarded fishing nets and often die a painful death. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed Brahminy Kite as a species of least conservation priority due to their wide spread distribution from India to the entire South-east Asia where they have a healthy population. Males and females both share the task of nest building, incubation and collectively take care of the young. The nest is a rough untidy structure built high up on a tree near water which is usually exposed. Sometimes a second brood may also be raised towards the end of August. Their breeding season in Goa as noted by Lainer starts in February and extends up to April. Average day counts of this species can vary from anywhere between 20 to 35 individuals but larger congregations of this species have been reported from Zuari Agro Chemical’s reservoir in Vasco and Carambolim Lake in the past by Goan ornithologist Heinz Lainer. Even though they are residents, their numbers gradually decline in monsoons as they move towards the drier regions of Karnataka for a short while. Salim Ali himself from Mayem Lake- Bicholim, when he had come to Goa on the first ornithological expedition. The first record of this species was by Dr. They have a broad spectrum of diet which includes fishes, frogs, lizards, small snakes and even insects like termites. Often Brahminy kites can be seen soaring above the waters of Mandovi and Zuari river scouting for fish while constantly uttering a harsh wheezy squeal like call “paeeeee” which sounds like the cry of an injured animal in distress. Often crows keep a look out for a hunting Brahminy Kite and as soon as they find it with a prey will mob the bird to steal the prey from the kite’s talons. They may also scavenge sometimes like Black Kites for food. They actively hunt for fishes hovering on top of the water body and swooping down quickly to pluck them out of water. ![]() This water loving bird is a resident of India and can be found throughout the year in Goa near estuaries, harbours, beaches, rivers and rice fields. ![]() The Brahminy Kite is a handsome rusty red coloured hawk with a typical white head. The most venerated bird among them all though is the Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) referred as Garuda, the sacred bird of Vishnu in Hindu culture. Birds have a deep relation with Indian religion and mythology.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |