Haliastur indus; Print; The brahminy kite (Haliastur indus); formerly known as the red-backed sea-eagle in Australia; is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae; which also includes many other diurnal raptors; such as eagles; buzzards; and harriers. They are found in the Indian subcontinent; Southeast Asia; and Australia. They are found mainly on the coast and in inland wetlands; where they feed on dead fish and other prey. Adults have a reddish-brown body plumage contrasting with their white head and breast which make them easy to distinguish from other birds of prey.; 1782-1825