Sorry about the bad pun...
I was over on North Stradbroke island over the weekend for non-bird related business, and discovered on my last day there that there were some kites nesting in a pine tree across the road.
I identified one as a Juvenile Whistling Kite, but I was looking for a confirmation if possible on whether the others were also a whistling kite or a juvenile Brahminy kite.
My dilemma arose somewhat because there were two nests in the same tree. One was quite high up in the tree, while the other was about 2/3rds of the way up. The one I identified as a Whistling Kite was near/attending the lower nest, while the others I am not certain about were sitting near the top nest.
Unfortunately I have no inflight photos of those I'm not sure about, as it sat on the same dang branch the whole time. The lower one on the other hand was taking short flights, and occasional laps of the tree.
First pic is the clearest one I have of the unidentified bird. Second is the other which I identified as a Whistling Kite. (based on its inflight appearance and the spots on its wings).
I wasn't sure on the other one, but its wing feathers seemed to have more of solid brown, with a hound-tooth (for want of a better description) more than a spotty appearance. It also seemed substantially lighter in colour.
Edit: Found one of the second bird (I believe of the same type as unidentified) which was sitting nearby.
Have some great photos, but would like to put a name to their faces.
Don't forget juv. Sea Eagles- they are also easily confused in these sort of situations (although, I don't think either of these are Sea Eagles).
The first one is definitely a Whistling Kite.
I think the second one is an immature Brahminy Kite, judging by the clear demarciation of light and dark feathers and patchy browness.
Seen as they were nesting, you could assume all of the birds are the same species. I'm guessing that there was multiple individuals so I think they are all Whistling Kites... perhaps two young ones and two adults.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Hmm... Correlation doesn't equal causation, though, and as both nests were active...
All of them look like Whistling Kites to me.