Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae) - HBW 2

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)

French: Milan sacré German: Brahminenweih Spanish: Milano Brahmán
Other common names: Red backed/White headed Sea eagle, Red backed Kite, Whistling Eagle

Taxonomy: Falco Indus Boddaert, 1783, Pondicherry, India.
Placed in genus Milvus by some authorities, but differs in plumage, voice and behaviour. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • indus (Boddaert, 1783) - Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka through SE Asia to S China.
  • intermedius Blyth, 1865 - Malay Peninsula, Greater and Lesser Sundas, Sulawesi and related small islands, Philippines and Sula Is (C Moluccas).
  • girrenera (Vieillot, 1822) - Moluccas, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago and Australia.
  • flavirostris Condon & Amadon, 1954 - Solomon Is.

  • Least Concern
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