They are now easily spotted in the Chilterns and central Scotland, and are spreading across much of southern England. The red Kite was almost extinct and has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland.
Signs and spotting tips Once confined only to Wales, the red kite is slowly returning to other parts of the UK. The bird was even referenced several times in Shakespeare’s plays. By 1871 they were extinct in England, by 1879 in Scotland, and by the time efforts were made to protect red kites in 1903 only a few pairs were left in remote parts of Wales. Red kites were common in medieval London. In the Middle Ages they were widespread and even protected by royal decree because they were so valued as scavengers and keeping streets clean that killing them was a capital punishment.īy the 16th century, however, they were reclassified as ‘vermin’ and persecuted by gamekeepers and by those who collected their eggs. Red kites are now on the Green List, meaning their numbers are not considered to be under threat, but they have seen some ups and downs through the centuries. Fledging takes about 60 days, and parents continue to care for them for a further 15-20 days. They only have one brood a year because the chicks can take months to leave the nest. © Chris Gomersall/RSPBĪn average clutch has two eggs, though there are records of them having as many as four. How many eggs do red kites lay?Īn adult red kite at its nest with chicks, in oak tree. The oldest tagged red kite from the British Trust for Ornithology is 25 years, 8 months, and 28 days, but the average age is just 4 years. © BBC Earth Unplugged What eats red kites?Īdult red kites aren’t in much danger from other predators, but their chicks can be vulnerable to predation from birds including magpies, crows, or other birds of prey. Please note that external videos may contain ads:ģ60° Red Kite Bird Feeding Frenzy 4k. The Galloway Red Kite Trail is an exciting birdwatching opportunity to view spectacular red kites in lovely scenery. Red kites are largely scavengers, living off carrion, but they have quite a varied diet including small mammals and even earthworms. The red kite (Milvus milvus) is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles. The red kite has a buzzard-like, rapid mewing “weoo-weoo-weoo” call, often made as it’s soaring. The primaries (aka the ‘fingertip’ feathers, furthest away from the bird’s body when extended) have dark brown tips that become more and more white towards the base, quite similar to the secondaries (which run along the ‘arm’ of the wing) which become paler with bars towards the base. To help with identification it’s helpful to look for other nearby signs to narrow the species down, such as moulted feathers or active nests.įeathers: The tail feathers are mostly reddish brown (cinnamon colour), with the inner tail feathers sporting dark spot-like markings down the centre while the outer tail feathers have distinct barring more visible on one side of the feather. Pellets: Red kites’ pellets are quite similar to those of a buzzard, ie large and elliptical, and made mostly of tightly packed fur with some bone fragments.
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