RED KITE
(milvus milvus)
The Red Kite was once a common sight in British skies and
during the Middle Ages was legally protected because of its
practice of clearing human refuse from towns and cities.
Unfortunately the Red Kite was also a major predator of
domestic fowl and this led to its relentless persecution
until, by 1905, the total British population was reduced to
only 12 birds.
Today, the Red Kite is once again a protected species and
its numbers have increased to almost 110 pairs in the UK.
Most of the Kite population is currently confined to Wales.
With a slender body and long forked tail, the Red Kite is
our most elegant Bird of Prey and one of the most skilled
in flight. It will eat almost any thing (dead or alive) and
will often steal food from other Birds of Prey.
FACT
FILE:
LENGTH:
60 - 66cms (23 - 26ins)WINGSPAN:
175- 195cms (69 - 77ins)WEIGHT:
0.76- 1.6kg (llb 11oz - 31b 8oz)HABITAT:
Roosting and nesting in valleys containing ancient
oakwoods, but hunting over heath and moorland. Lowland
pastures and wetlands are also used during winter.