This magnificently graceful bird of prey is unmistakable with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. It was saved from national extinction by one of the world’s longest-running protection programmes. It has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland. Red Kites are listed under Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
- Distinctive long, deeply forked tail
- Angular wings, with white patches underneath and dark fingered wing tips
- Adults have a reddish-brown body with dark streaks and a pale grey head
- Yellow beak with a black tip
- Yellow legs
Red Kites mainly feed on carrion and can often be seen soaring high above roads, on the lookout for roadkill. When soaring they constantly adjust the angle of their tail to steer, while barely moving their wings. Listen out for their characteristic whistling ‘peee eooo eooo’ call.