Over the past few weeks I’ve managed to collect a few Black-shouldered Kite feeding routines.
It always involves the male of the pair doing the hunting. Often times the female will fly out meet him and take it from him in the air.
It seems to me there are at least three techniques used by the birds.
1. Scary: He hangs motionless in the air with the mouse presented on an extended foot. She sweeps in at a great speed, flips upside down, claws out, and takes the mouse. The stress on his leg must be quite large as this a non-stop movement.
2. Dainty: Again he hangs midair, she lines up from underneath and plucks the mouse with her beak. She is practically motionless at the point of contact.
3. Easy, but under pressure. This is always a branch transfer. The main reason I think is that it might be easier on the male, but most times its because of prying eyes circling about to see what chance they have of taking off with a free lunch. Usually once it has been transferred she will sit mantling the food until she feels safe to deal with it.
When the young are very small, Mum will prepare the food, and then go to the nest and feed small pieces to each of the youngsters. As they grow, she delivers, but they feed, and before fledgling Dad will deliver straight to the nest. The young will share the meal.
Once they are on the wing, some feeding takes place on the nest, and as they grow more confident in the air, the male will hang the mouse down and give the young a chance to hone their flying skills. It has to be said that a hungry young one is more enthusiasm than skill, but that improves rapidly. In the end they can gracefully take it from his dangling claw.
So let’s illustrate some of those techniques.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Amazing photos as always David, and interesting observations. It looks like a lot of parental patience is required at feeding time, just like with our youngsters when they were very young. It appears quite challenging, but the parent is committed to the cause.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Greetings Ashley, they surely are committed to the longevity of their DNA. Young raptors seem to have much smaller wing and tail area, as the main feathers grow in over a few weeks, also these ones are only novice flyers. However, from others that I’ve seen they are quick learners, and will be harassing Dad very soon to keep up the supply of food.
Sadly for us, with the stay at home edict, we won’t get to see or record any of that. Pity as we’ve worked so regularly with this pair, and they allow us to engage with the family. A process I feel both blessed and graced by.
Still, there is next season.
Best to you and yours in this challenging time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a stunning set of photographs David. I have never seen this transfer of food happening, so your super clear images and your explanation of the various techniques is much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Eleanor, it’s not often we get this happening close up, normally it would be much further out in a paddock as she get a bit anxious about getting her meal on time.
It is just good fortune that this pair nesting in a small clearing-creekline, and they have been transferring in that area, so we’ve been right on the action.
Would have loved to be out this week as he skills up the youngsters. One of the techniques is to hold still while they zero on the mouse, and then just as they are about to take it, he lifts his foot and they fly by, and then have to come around again for as second try. 🙂 He also does the same thing for the ones that are trying to get an extra meal, as he knows which one is in turn for the food.
LikeLiked by 1 person