Red Kite

Scientific name:

Milvus milvus.

Status:

They are resident and common species.

Voice:

They have shrill, quavering sound like ‘weoo-weoo-weoo'

Length:

The length of Red kite lies in between 60-65 cm.

Wingspan:

Wingspan of Red Kite lies in between 155-185 cm.

Habitat:

Typically associated with wood valleys, adjacent to areas of farmland or open country.

Behaviour:

They tend to feed on carrion and therefore at risk of poisoning.

Physical appearance:

They are attractive bird of prey with mainly reddish-brown plumage, paler greyish head and deeply forked tail, has black-tipped yellow bill and yellow legs.

Sexes:

Sexes are similar.

Flight:

In flight they sore effortlessly, often with wings slightly kinked forwards. Seen from below, body and inner wing are reddish.

Wings:

Wings are long and show translucent pale-grey patch near tips.

Tail:

Tail pale grey. Seen from above, tail is orange-red and brown inner wings contrast with dark flight feathers.