Brahminy kite
bird
Also known as: Haliastur indus
Quick Summary
The Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) is a common bird of prey found from India to the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. It is characterized by its chestnut-red body with a white breast and head that is striped with black.1
Kites, in general, are lightly built birds of prey with long, narrow wings and tails. They are known for their buoyant flight, characterized by slow flapping and gliding. The Brahminy kite belongs to the Milvinae subfamily and is known to eat fish and scavenge for garbage. Hindus hold this bird as sacred.21
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