Firehawks

Black Kite

Milvus migrans

Medium: Gouache

Australian legend of the fire hawks: Though no one in modern times has officially witnessed this behavior, Aboriginal legend claims that black kites (pictured here), whistling kites and brown falcons will pick up sticks from wildfires and drop them into grassy areas to root out prey. There are three levels of fire mastery. Chimps have only been known to achieve level one, but fire manipulation such as this act is considered level two mastery. Smart birds!