The Red Kite (Milvus milvus) is a medium-large bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, buzzards, and harriers. This elegant raptor is renowned for its graceful and buoyant flight, often seen effortlessly soaring on thermal currents high above the landscape. Its distinctive silhouette and flight pattern make it a recognizable sight across its range. The species is largely resident in the milder parts of its distribution, though some northern and central European populations migrate south and west for the winter season.
Distinct Physical Characteristics
The Red Kite is a long-winged, slender bird, typically ranging from 60 to 70 centimeters in body length with a wingspan of 175 to 195 centimeters. Its plumage is characterized by a rusty rufous-brown coloration over the body and upper tail, contrasting with a pale, streaked grey head. In flight, the wings display characteristic white patches on the underside, set against black wing tips and dark secondary feathers.
The most defining feature of the species is its deeply forked, rich reddish-brown tail. The bird uses this long tail like a rudder, constantly twisting the feathers to provide precise steering and stability during complex maneuvers. This control allows the kite to make sharp turns and glide with exceptional agility, especially when scanning the ground or snatching up food. Females are generally similar to males, but tend to be slightly larger and heavier, weighing between 1,000 and 1,300 grams compared to the males’ 800 to 1,200 grams.
Global Range and Preferred Habitat
The Red Kite is native to the western Palearctic region, with the vast majority of its population breeding across Europe. Its main distribution covers Central and Western Europe, with significant numbers found in countries like Germany, Spain, and France. A small, non-European population once existed in Northwest Africa, particularly Morocco. While northern populations move toward the south and west during winter, kites in the milder parts of the range are non-migratory residents.
The species demonstrates a broad tolerance for various environments, generally favoring a landscape that provides a mosaic of open spaces and mature woodland. Preferred habitats include open broadleaf or mixed forests, pastures, valleys, and agricultural land. Large, mature trees are necessary for nesting, with nests typically built 10 to 15 meters above the ground, often near forest edges or close to human settlements.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
The Red Kite’s feeding ecology is defined by its role as an opportunistic scavenger, with carrion forming the main part of its diet. It frequently consumes roadkill, dead livestock, and the carcasses of small animals, acting as an important natural recycler. This reliance on dead animals means the Red Kite is not a powerful hunter like some other raptors.
Supplementing its scavenging, the kite also takes small live prey, including small mammals such as voles, mice, and young rabbits. Invertebrates like earthworms are also consumed, especially during spring when they are easily accessible in ploughed fields. The bird’s foraging technique involves a slow, deliberate soaring flight, holding its long wings in a slight ‘V’ shape (dihedral) as it scans the ground below. It often snatches food items without landing.
Conservation History and Current Status
Historically, the Red Kite was once a common sight across much of Europe, even thriving in medieval cities by scavenging waste. However, during the 18th and 19th centuries, the species suffered a catastrophic decline due to widespread persecution, primarily from poisoning and trapping. This persecution, driven by the mistaken belief that the bird was a threat to game and livestock, led to its extinction in England and Scotland by the end of the 19th century, with only a few pairs surviving in remote areas of Wales.
The species’ fortunes have been transformed by extensive protection and reintroduction programs starting in the late 20th century, notably in the United Kingdom. Successful efforts, such as the releases in the Chiltern Hills and Scotland beginning in 1989, have led to a substantial recovery and expansion of its range across many European countries. The global population is now considered stable, and the species was downlisted to Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though illegal persecution remains a threat in some areas.