All species
resident
Least ConcernKites
Red Kite
A magnificent raptor with reddish-brown plumage, long forked tail and graceful soaring flight. Saved from extinction in the UK by reintroduction programmes, it is now a common sight over the Chilterns and elsewhere.
Milvus milvus
Woodland Farmland Open country Parks
Size
60-66 cm
Wingspan
175-195 cm
Weight
750-1,300 g
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet
Carrion, small mammals, birds, insects, worms and scraps; often seen scavenging at roadkill.
Song & Call
A high, whistling 'wee-wee-wee' call, often given in flight.
Tap play to listen0:00
Speed
Visualizer
Recording by Pascal Christe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Reddish-brown body
- Long forked tail
- Pale head
- Broad wings with white patches
Conservation
Least Concern
Reintroduction success story; still vulnerable to illegal poisoning in some areas.
