Shelter: Large trees for nesting and raising their young
Diet: Birds and other small animals
Water: Bird baths and frog ponds
ReWild Benefit: Pest control
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
Square-tailed Kites build nests high in the canopy of large mature trees dotted throughout the landscape. They fly close to the canopy in search of potential prey and suitable habitat.
Keep and maintain mature trees in your garden to provide habitat and shelter for local birds of prey. Alternatively, you can plant a large habitat tree for future generations.
Novel Shelter
Not required.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
Square-tailed Kites are predators and are adapted to hunt for prey living amongst the tree canopy including small birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Toxins from baits are travelling up the food chain as birds feed on poisoned rodents. Overtime, the toxins build up in the birds body and result in lethargy, clumsiness, paralysis, and are ultimately fatal.
If baits are required to control a rodent problem, look for the active ingredients Warfarin or Coumatetralyl as they are much less harmful to birdlife.
Providing sources of water
Square-tailed Kites have been known to visit large bird baths and frog ponds for a drink.
ReWild Benefits
Birds of prey help to control pest species within the ecosystem. Visit BirdLife Australia to learn more about our native birds of prey. If you have seen one in your neighbourhood or around the home you can record your sighting on Birdata and help scientists monitor their population.
