Birds nocturnal

Letter-winged Kite

Elanus scriptus

Meet the world's only nocturnal hawk—a ghost of the Australian outback. With its piercing red eyes and a secret letter hidden beneath its wings, the Letter-winged Kite is a rare treasure for any wildlife enthusiast.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 34–38 cm (13.5–15 in); Wingspan: 84–100 cm (33–39 in); Weight: 200–320 g (7–11 oz)

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Colors

Predominantly pale grey upperparts and white underparts; striking red eyes set within bold black eye-rings; diagnostic black 'M' pattern on the underwing.

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Key Features

Bold black 'M' or 'W' pattern visible on the underwing in flight
Bright red eyes surrounded by a dark patch
Primarily white and pale grey plumage
Square-tipped tail and pointed wings

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours Dusk until dawn, with highest hunting activity in the first two hours after sunset.

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Season Year-round, but most detectable during 'irruption years' following inland rainfall.

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Diet A specialist predator that feeds almost exclusively on the Long-haired Rat, though it will supplement its diet with house mice, lizards, and large insects during lean times.

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Habitat Arid and semi-arid grasslands, open plains, and shrublands, typically near ephemeral watercourses or timbered creeks.

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Behavior

Unlike almost every other bird of prey in its family, the Letter-winged Kite is a specialist of the night. While its cousins are sleeping, this bird takes to the air to hunt, filling an ecological niche similar to that of an owl. They are highly social birds, often nesting in loose colonies of up to 50 pairs when food is abundant. This colonial behavior is quite rare for raptors and allows them to exploit sudden bursts in prey populations effectively.

These kites are famous for their 'irruptive' nature. They spend most of their time in the arid, remote center of Australia, but when a 'mouse plague' occurs after heavy rains, they breed rapidly. Once the rodent numbers inevitably crash, the kites disperse in massive numbers toward the Australian coast. During these times, they can appear in places they are never normally seen, though they often struggle to survive once away from their preferred desert prey.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Letter-winged Kite on a backyard or trail camera is a unique challenge because of their strictly nocturnal habits. Unlike common kites that you might see during the day, you need a camera with excellent infrared (IR) capabilities. Position your camera in an open area with a clear view of the sky or near a solitary 'scout' tree. These birds prefer to perch on high, exposed branches to scan the ground for movement, so aiming your camera at a prominent dead limb or fence post in a clearing is your best bet for a clear shot.

For the best results, mount your camera at a height of 6 to 9 feet, angled slightly upward if you are targeting a perch. If you are monitoring a flat hunting ground, keep the camera level at about 4 feet. Because these birds hunt fast-moving rodents, use a high-speed trigger setting (0.3 seconds or less) and set your camera to 'Burst Mode.' A single photo might only capture a white blur, but a three-shot burst significantly increases your chances of seeing the iconic black 'M' pattern on the underside of the wings as they bank or take flight.

Since these birds are attracted to rodent activity, you don't need artificial lures or bait; instead, look for signs of mice or rats on your property. If you find 'pellets' (small bundles of fur and bone) at the base of a tree, you have found a roosting site. Setting your camera to record 10-20 second video clips can also be incredibly rewarding, as it may capture the kite's unique owl-like flight and its incredible ability to hover in total darkness. Use a 'No-Glow' IR flash to avoid startling the bird or its prey, which ensures natural behavior is recorded.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Letter-winged Kite.

Black-shouldered Kite

Nearly identical at rest, but hunts during the day and lacks the full black 'M' pattern under the wings.

Nankeen Kestrel

Shares the hovering hunting style but has warm brown/rufous feathers and is active during daylight hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Letter-winged Kites are strictly nocturnal. They spend their days roosting in leafy trees and begin hunting for rodents as soon as the sun goes down, remaining active until dawn.

These birds are rare in suburban areas and usually follow rodent outbreaks. The best way to see them is to maintain a natural habitat that supports native mammals, but they are generally only visitors during 'irruption' events when they travel from the desert to the coast.

Their primary food source is the Long-haired Rat. When those aren't available, they will eat mice, small marsupials, and occasionally large beetles or grasshoppers.

No, they are generally found in the arid interior of Australia. However, during extreme droughts following a breeding boom, they 'irrupt' and can be found in coastal farms and suburban fringes temporarily.

The easiest way is the wings: the Letter-winged Kite has a bold black 'M' or 'W' pattern across the entire underside of its wing, whereas the Black-shouldered Kite only has small black patches at the 'wrists.' Also, Letter-winged Kites are active at night, while Black-shouldered Kites hunt during the day.

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