Latin name

Milvus milvus

Family

Hawks, vultures and eagles (Accipitridae)

Where to see them

At one time confined to Wales, a reintroduction scheme has brought them back to many parts of England and Scotland. Central Wales, central England - especially the Chilterns, central Scotland - at Argaty, and along the Galloway Kite Trail are the best areas to find them.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Mainly carrion and worms, but opportunistic and will occasionally take small mammals.

Population

In the UK

The population that survived the persecution in the old oakwoods of mid-Wales has spread, and continues to go from strength to strength. In England the reintroduced birds can be found in the Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire area, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, Gateshead, Northumberland and the Newcastle area and Grizedale Forest in Cumbria. The Scottish population is centred around the release sites in Dumfries and Galloway, Stirling-shire and west Perthshire, around Black Isle in Ross-shire, and on the outskirts of Aberdeen City. Kites have also now been returned to Northern Ireland.

Red kite

• Size: bigger than mallard
• Feather colours: brown, black, white, red, orange, grey, cream/buff
• Beak colours: black/dark grey, yellow
• Beak length: short
• Beak thickness: short
• Beak shape: short
• Leg colour: yellow
• Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

• 
  Marsh harrier
• 
  Buzzard