Red Kite

Milvus milvus

Genus · Milvus Kites Family · Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
FarmlandIsolated treesMigration watchpoints

Look for the very deep fork in the tail. Look for the brilliant white 'windows' near the tips of the underwings. Its pale grey head is also a key feature.

Red Kite

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan175–195 cm
Weight800–1300 g
Length60–70 cm
Lifespan wild10–25 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typePlatform
Clutch size2–3 eggs
Incubation31–32 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Carnivore

🦅Birds
🦴Carrion
🦗Insects
🐭Mammals
🪱Worms

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌳 Forest deciduous
✦ Fun Fact

In Shakespearean London, Red Kites were very common city scavengers. They were protected by law because they helped keep the streets clean.

About

A beautiful and graceful raptor with reddish-brown plumage. It is easily identified by its deeply forked tail. Once near extinction, it has made a spectacular recovery due to conservation efforts. It is a resident or short-distance migrant. It is often seen soaring over farmland and wooded valleys.

Behaviour

The Red Kite is a master of effortless soaring. It uses its long wings and 'V-shaped' tail to stay aloft with minimal flapping. It is primarily a scavenger of carrion and roadkill. It also takes small mammals and earthworms. They are social birds and gather in large numbers at winter roosts.

Similar species

Black Kite
🐦
Black Kite
Milvus migrans
Common Buzzard
🐦
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
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