BRAHMINY KITE

The Backwaters of Kerala provide the perfect Home to these Gorgeous Rust and White Birds Of Prey.

Coastal Plains, Estuaries, Marshes, Swamps , Lakes and Rivers describe the Landscape of Poovar and Ashtamudhi ,Kerala, India .( do see the pictures in earlier posts titled THE OCTOPUS LAKE and TRANQUIL WATERS)

These wetlands are the Native Habitat of The Brahminy Kite or Red Backed Eagle ( English), Haliastur indus ( Scientific name) which you will see Soaring above in the Skies along the entire Coast of Kerala.

Razor’s Edge

The distinctive White Head and Rust Back make them extremely easy to identify. The photographs were taken from a Boat and the one below is of a Brahminy Kite perched high above on a Coconut Tree. ( you can see the Coconuts on the right)

I am not sure what has Ruffled the Feathers of the Kite but it seems to have it,s eyes fixed on something.

It is a soft photograph and a bit out of focus but am sharing it nevertheless as I find the silhouette and colouration of the Beak rather extraordinary.

Ruffled Feathers

From my experience Poovar is an excellent area for Bird Watching as the Foliage is extremely Dense and forms a Canopy over a maze of narrow and calm water Channels.

Thus when you are on a boat you could Spot a Bird perched on a Branch which arches above the waters.

It was the first time I saw a Juvenile Brahminy Kite so close at hand permitting the following picture to be taken.

You can clearly see the Head and Chest of the Teenager Brahminy Kite are still not Snow White as in the Adult.

The Juvenile Brahminy Kite