Birds that carry fire? Unpacking the myths and reality of Australia’s firehawks

Firehawks Explained: Are Australia’s Raptors Really Spreading Flames to Hunt? (Representative Image: Canva)

Australian bushfires, while devastating, also reveal complex ecological interactions. Raptors known as firehawks, including kites and falcons, are observed hunting at fire fronts and may intentionally spread flames to flush out prey. Indigenous knowledge strongly supports this behaviour, though scientific proof remains limited. Researchers and firefighters have reported birds carrying burning sticks, prompting debate over whether the action is deliberate or accidental.

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Australia’s bushfires are often viewed solely as environmental catastrophes, yet scientists and Indigenous knowledge holders say some native raptors may exploit fires in surprising ways, reshaping understanding of wildlife behaviour during extreme fire events.

Bushfires and Australia’s fire-shaped landscapes

Australia’s bushfires are widely associated with destruction and loss. Millions of animals perish when fires sweep through habitats. Yet fire has shaped Australian landscapes for millennia. Long before modern firefighting, fire was part of nature. Aboriginal Australians used fire as a management tool. They applied controlled burns to support food sources. Fire encouraged plant growth and reduced dangerous fuel loads. These practices continue in northern savanna regions today. Authorities also light early dry-season fires deliberately. These burns reduce later catastrophic fire risks. Back-burning remains a key firefighting strategy. Fires also start naturally through lightning strikes.

The scale of bushfire damage became stark during Black Summer. Between July 2019 and March 2020 fires raged nationwide. More than 18 million hectares were burned. Scientists estimate 1.25 billion animals died. Around 3 billion animals were affected overall. Despite this devastation, fire also creates ecological opportunities. Some species exploit freshly burned landscapes for food.

Firehawks and birds of prey near flames

Among the most debated species are Australia’s so-called firehawks. These include black kites, whistling kites, and brown falcons. Indigenous communities have long described unusual fire-related behaviour. Stories tell of birds carrying burning sticks. These sticks were allegedly dropped to spread fires. Such accounts were once dismissed as myth. However, growing evidence suggests possible truth.

Raptors are known to gather near fire fronts. Fires flush insects, reptiles, and mammals into open areas. This creates dense feeding opportunities for predators. Raptors also scavenge partially burned animals. Observations of fire-foraging birds exist globally. Similar behaviour has been reported across several continents. Australia’s firehawks appear particularly adept.

Witnesses describe birds collecting smouldering sticks. These sticks are carried in talons or beaks. Birds transport them several hundred metres away. They drop them onto dry grass or brush. Sometimes fires ignite successfully. Sometimes the attempts fail. The intention behind this behaviour remains debated.

What scientists know and what remains unclear

Researchers examined historical records and Indigenous accounts. They also conducted interviews with firefighters. Some researchers made direct field observations. Aboriginal knowledge strongly supports intentional fire spreading. Skeptics argue birds accidentally pick up embers. Mistaken prey grabs may explain behaviour. Birds may drop sticks after realising errors.

However, firefighters have reported repeated flare-ups. Fires reignited in previously contained areas. In some cases, birds were observed directly. One black kite dropped a smoking stick onto a road. Another dropped a stick across the road. A new fire ignited shortly afterwards. A whistling kite reportedly started several spot fires. One firefighter extinguished six such fires.

There remains no definitive video evidence. Conducting research near active fires is dangerous. Scientific papers have yet to reach firm conclusions. Still, multiple eyewitness accounts strengthen the case. Indigenous knowledge aligns with modern observations. Researchers say further study is essential.

Understanding firehawk behaviour could reshape fire management thinking. It may reveal complex evolutionary adaptations. Fire, once seen only as destruction, may hold deeper ecological roles.