As you know, we’ve been following a young pair of Black-shouldered Kites for the past few weeks.
Earlier this year, a number of pairs nested in the same genera area, about the same time. Probably more like a three to four week span.
One pair in what we shall call the ‘home territory’ were in the later shift, and managed to raise and fly two young. At about the same time, the birds from the surrounding areas, moved into the home territory to feed and train their young. With four set of parents and their various offspring the paddocks had as many as 16 birds in the air hunting. Fortunately the mice seemed to have had their own population explosion and there was plenty of food to go round.
But as time went on, as things go with Kites, the young began to disperse and the adults moved on for a well deserved rest. In the end, the home territory male was still in residence, and two young kites that we concluded must be the young from his recent clutch.
Young siblings are happy to sit and hunt together and this couple seemed to be happy with their company. As the days went on, and the young orange feathers began to fade away, it became clear this pair were not moving on at all. And perhaps slowly it became even clearer that they were not siblings, but a young pair. No doubt with all the birds in the feeding frenzy, this pair had made an interesting selection.
Too early yet to know if they will stay and nest, but they certainly seem to have established several roost trees as their own.
Pair bonding with Kites is both a high activity and loud process. We found them practicing the techniques they will need for food exchange should they settle on a clutch. It looks pretty aggressive and serious, but they each seemed to know the part they have to play.
And a little later I found them sitting together on the nearby track, hunting crickets on the ground.
Hopefully there will be more to share of this story.
Enjoy
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST 
I really like your story and enjoy the beautiful photos, David. The ending of the first chapter is disarmingly cute: hunting crickets in the grass… I’m looking forward to the sequel.
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Hi Adam, Yes, hunting crickets is not what they built for. its a bit of a clumsy looking moment with wings all spread out over the grass, just for a small mouthful.
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Lovely to see, David!
Hopefully they will settle and nest in time and you will get to see the next generation.
Dave N
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Be intereresting to see what if anything develops. Taken us a few weeks to figure out that they weren’t just sibllings, but the real deal pair.
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A lovely love story captured beautifully David, hopefully being consummated in the coming weeks.
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Hello Ashley, seems they are in no particular hurry to get things on the move. Given they are only about 6 months old, I guess there are many things that have to fall into place for them to get started.
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Such a privilege to be able to watch the relationship unfolding. Let’s hope they do well together and are successful in raising another generation. Hunting together for crickets sounds almost like a game, but no doubt the insects are a good source of protein.
A lovely story and image David.
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Hello Eleanor, such an interesting pairing. we are beginning to think they might be settling in permanently
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I should have read this Post first before reading the next one, but never mind. It will be interesting to see how all this plays out…!
And as always “The Story” is illustrated with beautiful photos…!
As an aside (and I might have said this before), the Kites are beautiful birds who possess some amazing flying skills…!
Have a great day…!
Lance
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Hi Lance, glad you were able to get to the story eventually. We don’t have a lot of other bird activity at the moment so probably are spending more time with this pair
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