Brahminy Kite (4/24)

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae

Haliastur indus  

I had read a report of a Little Eagle seen at Buckleys Hole, Bribie Island, and as this would be a new bird for me I went searching for the Little Eagle.

Not long after I arrived, a raptor appeared and from a distance it appeared to be a Little Eagle. My heart rate went up as I chased after the bird through the sand hills and mangroves of Bribie Island.

Many photos later I felt smug that I had photographed a new bird. However when I looked on the big screen at home alarm bells started to ring. I realised I had photographed a juvenile Brahminy Kite masquerading as a Little Eagle. Rats! My smug mug vaporized. Damn that Brahminy Kite.