North Queensland Naturalist

Abstract

The Square-tailed Kite and Little Eagle are uncommon in far north Queensland and when present they are usually non-breeding visitors in the dry season. However, at Mount Molloy a pair of Square-tailed Kites nested in 1997 and in every year from 1999 to 2010, demonstrating remarkable faithfulness to the site and nests. Little Eagles nested 45 to 75 m away in at least five years between 2000 and 2009 inclusive. Collared Sparrowhawks also nested close by. Both the kite and eagle nested from June to November. These kite and eagle records are, we believe, the northernmost breeding records for these species, and their close association (along with the Collared Sparrowhawk) is intriguing.