# Red kite

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Species of bird

"Red Kite" redirects here. For the Sarah Cracknell album, see [Red Kite (album)](/source/Red_Kite_(album)).

Red kite Temporal range: Chibanian–present[a] PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N In flight over Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[2] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae Genus: Milvus Species: M. milvus Binomial name Milvus milvus (Linnaeus, 1758) Range of M. milvus Resident Summer breeding visitor, some migrating elsewhere during winter Synonyms Falco milvus Linnaeus, 1758 Milvus regalis (Pall., 1811)[3]

Red Kite at Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Wales, a local feeding ground.

The **red kite** (***Milvus milvus***) is a [bird of prey](/source/Bird_of_prey) in the family [Accipitridae](/source/Accipitridae), which also includes many other [diurnal](/source/Diurnality) [raptors](/source/Bird_of_prey) such as [eagles](/source/Eagle), [buzzards](/source/Buzzard), and [harriers](/source/Harrier_(bird)). The species currently breeds only in Europe, though it formerly also bred in [West Asia](/source/West_Asia) and [Northwest Africa](/source/Northwest_Africa).[2][4] Historically, it was only resident in the milder parts of its range in [Western Europe](/source/Western_Europe) and [Northwestern Africa](/source/Maghreb), whereas all or most red kites in [Northern mainland Europe](/source/Continental_Europe) wintered to the south and west, some also reaching western Asia, but an increasing number of northern birds now remain in that region year-round.[2] [Vagrants](/source/Vagrancy_(biology)) have reached north to [Finland](/source/Finland) and south to [Israel](/source/Israel), [Libya](/source/Libya) and [the Gambia](/source/The_Gambia).[4][5]

## Etymology

The English word "kite" is from the [Old English](/source/Old_English) *cyta* which is of unknown origin. A kite is mentioned by [Geoffrey Chaucer](/source/Geoffrey_Chaucer) in his *[Knight's Tale](/source/The_Knight's_Tale)*. The early 15th century [Hengwrt manuscript](/source/Hengwrt_Chaucer) contains the lines: "Ther cam a kyte, whil þt they were so wrothe That bar awey the boon bitwix hem bothe." The first recorded use of the word [kite](/source/Kite) for the human-operated aerial device dates from the 17th century.[6]

## Taxonomy

The red kite was described by the Swedish naturalist [Carl Linnaeus](/source/Carl_Linnaeus) in 1758 in the [10th edition](/source/10th_edition_of_Systema_Naturae) of his *[Systema Naturae](/source/Systema_Naturae)* under the [binomial name](/source/Binomial_nomenclature) *Falco milvus*.[7] The word *milvus* was the [Latin](/source/Latin) name for the bird.[8] In 1799 the French naturalist [Bernard Germain de Lacépède](/source/Bernard_Germain_de_Lac%C3%A9p%C3%A8de) moved the species to the [genus](/source/Genus) *Milvus* creating the [tautonym](/source/Tautonym).[9]

Two [subspecies](/source/Subspecies) are recognised:[10]

- *M. m. milvus* (Linnaeus, 1758) – Europe and Northwest Africa to the Middle East

- *M. m. fasciicauda* [Hartert](/source/Ernst_Hartert), 1914 – the [Cape Verde Islands](/source/Cape_Verde)

The subspecies *M. m. fasciicauda* is almost certainly extinct.[11]

The genus *Milvus* contains two other species: the [black kite](/source/Black_kite) (*M. migrans*) and the [yellow-billed kite](/source/Yellow-billed_kite) (*M. aegyptius*).[10] The red kite has been known to successfully [hybridize](/source/Hybrid_(biology)) with the black kite in captivity where both species were kept together, and in the wild on the Cape Verde Islands and infrequently in other places.[12]

### Cape Verde kites

The red kites on the Cape Verde Islands are (or rather were) quite distinct in [morphology](/source/Morphology_(biology)), being somewhat intermediate with black kites. The question whether the Cape Verde kite should be considered a distinct [species](/source/Species) (*Milvus fasciicauda*) or a red kite subspecies has not been settled. A [mitochondrial DNA](/source/Mitochondrial_DNA) study on museum specimens suggested that Cape Verde birds did not form a [monophyletic](/source/Monophyletic) lineage among or next to red kites.[13] This interpretation is problematic: mtDNA analysis is susceptible to hybridization events, the evolutionary history of the Cape Verde population is not known, and the [genetic](/source/Genetics) relationship of red kites is confusing, with geographical proximity being no indicator of genetic relatedness and the overall genetic similarity high,[14] perhaps indicating a [relict](/source/Relict_(biology)) species. Given the morphological distinctness of the Cape Verde birds and that the Cape Verde population was isolated from other populations of red kites, it cannot be conclusively resolved as to whether the Cape Verde population was not a distinct subspecies (as *M. migrans fasciicauda*) or even a species that frequently absorbed stragglers from the migrating European populations into its gene pool. The Cape Verde population became effectively [extinct](/source/Extinct) since 2000, all surviving birds being hybrids with [black kites](/source/Black_kite).[13]

### Hybridisation

The genus *Milvus* contains two other species: the [black kite](/source/Black_kite) (*M. migrans*) and the [yellow-billed kite](/source/Yellow-billed_kite) (*M. aegyptius*).[10] The red kite has been known to successfully [hybridize](/source/Hybrid_(biology)) with the black kite in captivity where both species were kept together, and in the wild on the Cape Verde Islands and in other places.[12]

A [hybrid zone](/source/Hybrid_zone) in which red and black kites occasionally mate exists in Central Europe.[15] A genetic study of kites in this area did not demonstrate any [mtDNA](/source/MtDNA) from black kites in red kites or vice versa.[15] As this DNA is inherited from the mother, the authors of the study which found these results suggested that female F1 hybrids were infertile in accordance with [Haldane's law](/source/Haldane's_law).[15]

A hybridisation event leading to the successful fledging of two chicks occurred between a male black kite and a female red kite in Scotland in 2006. Scotland is not home to a breeding population of black kites, and it is likely the male was blown off course by a storm or became lost during migration.[16]

## Description

[Leucistic](/source/Leucistic) form

A red kite skull

Red kite, falconry Adlerwarte Obernberg am Inn, [Upper Austria](/source/Upper_Austria)

Red kites are 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in) long[17] with a 175–195 cm (69–77 in) wingspan; males weigh 800–1,200 g (28–42 oz), and females 1,000–1,300 g (35–46 oz).[4] It is an elegant bird, soaring on long wings held at a [dihedral](/source/Dihedral_(aircraft)), and long forked tail, twisting as it changes direction. The body, upper tail and [wing coverts](/source/Covert_feather#wing_coverts) are [rufous](/source/Rufous). The white primary flight feathers contrast with the black wing tips and dark secondaries. Apart from the weight difference, the sexes are similar, but juveniles have a buff breast and belly. Its call is a thin piping sound, similar to but less mewling than the [common buzzard](/source/Common_buzzard). There is a rare white [leucistic](/source/Leucistic) form accounting for approximately 1% of hatchlings in the Welsh population, but this variation confers a disadvantage in the survival stakes.[18]

### Differences between adults and juveniles

Adults differ from juveniles in a number of characteristics:

- Adults are overall more deeply [rufous](/source/Rufous), compared with the more washed out colour of juveniles;

- Adults have black breast-streaks whereas on juveniles these are pale;

- Juveniles have a less deeply forked tail, with a dark subterminal band;

- Juveniles have pale tips to all of the greater-coverts (secondary and primary) on both the upper- and under-wings, forming a long narrow pale line; adults have pale fringes to upperwing secondary-coverts only.

These differences hold throughout most of the first year of a bird's life.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Behaviour

### Breeding

Eggs in the natural history collection of the [Museum Wiesbaden](/source/Museum_Wiesbaden), Germany

Juveniles at nest, Berlin

Usually red kites first breed when they are two years old, although exceptionally they can successfully breed when they are only one year old.[19][20][21] They are [monogamous](/source/Monogamy_in_animals) and the pair-bond in [resident](/source/Glossary_of_bird_terms#resident) populations is probably maintained during the winter, particularly when the pair remain on their breeding territory. For migrant populations the fidelity to a particular nesting site means that the pair-bond is likely to be renewed each breeding season.[22] The nest is normally placed in a fork of a large hardwood tree at a height of between 12 and 15 m (39 and 49 ft) above the ground. A pair will sometimes use a nest from the previous year and can occasionally occupy an old nest of the [common buzzard](/source/Common_buzzard).[23] The nest is built by both sexes. The male brings dead twigs 30–50 cm (12–20 in) in length which are placed by the female. The nest is lined with grass and sometimes also with sheep's wool. Unlike the black kite, no greenery is added to the nest. Both sexes continue to add material to the nest during the incubation and nestling periods. Nests vary greatly in size and can become large when the same nest is occupied for several seasons.[19]

The eggs are laid at three-day intervals. The [clutch](/source/Clutch_(eggs)) is usually between one and three eggs but four and even five eggs have occasionally been recorded. The eggs are non-glossy with a white ground and red-brown spots. The average size is 57 mm × 45 mm (2.2 in × 1.8 in) with a calculated weight of 63 g (2.2 oz).[19] In Britain and central Europe, laying begins at the end of March but in the Mediterranean area laying begins in early March.[23] The eggs are mainly incubated by the female, but the male will relieve her for short periods while she feeds. The male will also bring food for the female. Incubation starts as soon as the first egg is laid. Each egg hatches after 31 to 32 days but as they hatch asynchronously a clutch of three eggs requires 38 days of incubation. The chicks are cared for by both parents. The female [broods](/source/Glossary_of_bird_terms#brood) them for the first 14 days while the male brings food to the nest which the female feeds to the chicks. Later both parents bring items of food which are placed in the nest to allow the chicks to feed themselves. The nestlings begin climbing onto branches around their nest from 45 days but they rarely [fledge](/source/Glossary_of_bird_terms#fledge) before 48–50 days and sometimes not until they are 60–70 days of age. The young spend a further 15–20 days in the neighbourhood of the nest being fed by their parents. Only a single brood is raised each year but if the eggs are lost the female will relay.[19]

The maximum age recorded is 25 years and 8 months for a ringed bird in Germany.[24] The [BTO](/source/British_Trust_for_Ornithology) longevity record for Britain and Ireland is also 25 years and 8 months for a bird found dead in Buckinghamshire in 2018.[25] In 2023, one of the first red kites reintroduced to the UK was found injured in Oxfordshire and later died, aged 29.[26]

### Food and feeding

Side view of adult, Wales

The red kites are generalist scavengers and predators. Their diets consist mainly of carrion of large domestic animals such as [sheep](/source/Sheep) and [pigs](/source/Pig), roadkill, and stranded fish.[27][28] They also take small [mammals](/source/Mammal) such as [mice](/source/Mouse), [voles](/source/Vole), [shrews](/source/Shrew), [stoats](/source/Stoat), young [hares](/source/Hare) and [rabbits](/source/Rabbit).[27][29][30] Live [birds](/source/Bird) are also taken, especially young or wounded, such as [crows](/source/Crow), [doves](/source/Dove), [starlings](/source/Starling), [thrushes](/source/Thrush_(bird)), [larks](/source/Lark), [gulls](/source/Gull), and [waterfowl](/source/Waterfowl).[27] Occasionally [reptiles](/source/Reptiles) and [amphibians](/source/Amphibians) are taken and invertebrates such as [earthworms](/source/Earthworm) form an important part of the diet, especially in [spring](/source/Spring_(season)).[31] In some parts of the United Kingdom, red kites are also deliberately fed in domestic [gardens](/source/Garden), explaining the presence of red kites in [urban](/source/Urban_area) areas.[32] Here, up to 5% of householders have provided supplementary food for red kites, with [chicken](/source/Chicken) being the predominant meat provided.[32][33]

As scavengers, red kites are particularly susceptible to poisoning. Illegal poison baits set for foxes or crows are indiscriminate and kill protected birds and other animals.[34] There have also been a number of incidents of red kites and other raptors being targeted by wildlife criminals.[35][36]

On occasion, red kites may directly steal food from humans.[37] One such occurrence took place in [Marlow](/source/Marlow%2C_Buckinghamshire), [Buckinghamshire](/source/Buckinghamshire) (a town near a major reintroduction site for the species in the UK in the nearby village of [Stokenchurch](/source/Stokenchurch)), in which red kites swooped down to steal sandwiches from people in one of the town's parks.[38]

## Distribution and status

Red kite in flight in Gredos Mountains, Avila, Spain

Red kites inhabit broadleaf woodlands, pastures, mixed farmland, valleys and wetland edges, up to at least 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) elevation.[2] They are native to the western [Palearctic](/source/Palearctic), with all of the currently known 32,200–37,700 breeding pairs being in Europe.[2] There also used to be breeding populations in western Asia (northern Iran, Syria and Turkey) and northwestern Africa (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia), but most of these were extirpated in the 19th century or earlier;[39] the only non-European breeding population in recent decades was in Morocco where the last known pair was in 2004.[2] Today it breeds from Portugal and Spain, through the central part of the continent east to [European Russia](/source/European_Russia), north to southern [Scandinavia](/source/Scandinavia), Latvia and the United Kingdom, and south to southern Italy; few if any breeders remain in the [Balkans](/source/Balkans).[2][39] Most red kites that breed in the northern European mainland used to move south or west in winter, typically wintering in Spain and other parts of western Europe with a mild climate, as well as northwestern Africa (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) and Turkey. In recent decades, an increasing number of red kites from the northern European mainland have stayed in the region year-round.[2]

The populations in Germany (which alone is home to almost half of the world's breeding pairs), France and Spain declined between 1990 and 2000, and overall the species declined by almost 20% over those ten years. Populations in Germany and France have subsequently stabilised, and because of growth in other countries, the overall population is now increasing.[2] The main threats to red kites are poisoning, through illegal direct poisoning and indirect poisoning from pesticides, particularly in the wintering ranges in France and Spain, and changes in agricultural practices causing a reduction in food resources. Other threats include electrocution, hunting and trapping, deforestation, egg-collection (on a local scale) and possibly competition with the generally more successful black kite *M. migrans*.[2]

### Continental Europe

German populations declined by 25%–30% between 1991 and 1997, but have remained stable since. The populations of the northern foothills of the [Harz Mountains](/source/Harz_Mountains) (the most densely populated part of its range) suffered an estimated 50% decline from 1991 to 2001. In Spain, the species showed an overall decline in breeding population of up to 43% for the period 1994 to 2001–02, and surveys of wintering birds in 2003–04 suggest a similarly large decline in core wintering areas. The [Balearic Islands](/source/Balearic_Island) population has declined from 41 to 47 breeding pairs in 1993 to just 10 in 2003. In France, breeding populations have decreased in the northeast, but seem to be stable in southwest and central France and [Corsica](/source/Corsica). Populations elsewhere are stable or undergoing increases. In Sweden, the species has increased from 30 to 50 pairs in the 1970s to 1,200 breeding pairs in 2003 and has continued growing. In Switzerland, populations have been increasing since the 1990s.[2] Red kites have declined in their traditional strongholds of Spain, France and Germany; while now stable in the last two countries, those populations remain well below their historical peaks.[2] In contrast, red kite populations are increasing in parts of northern Europe, such as Denmark, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.[2][40][41] The red kite is the official landscape bird of the Swedish province of [Scania](/source/Scania),[42] and depicted on the coat of arms of the municipality of [Tomelilla](/source/Tomelilla).[43]

### United Kingdom

Red kite, Gigrin Farm, Wales

Red kites at the feeding station, [Laurieston, Glasgow](/source/Laurieston%2C_Glasgow), Scotland.

A red kite soaring in Hampshire, UK

In the United Kingdom, red kites were ubiquitous scavengers that lived on carrion and rubbish.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Shakespeare's [King Lear](/source/King_Lear) describes his daughter [Goneril](/source/Goneril) as a *detested kite*, and he wrote "when the kite builds, look to your lesser linen" in reference to them stealing washing hung out to dry in the nesting season.[44] In the mid-15th century, [King James II of Scotland](/source/King_James_II_of_Scotland) decreed that they should be "killed wherever possible", but they remained protected in England and Wales for the next 100 years as they kept the streets free of carrion and rotting food.[45] Under Tudor "vermin laws" many creatures were seen as competitors for the produce of the countryside and bounties were paid by the parish for their carcasses.[46]

By the 20th century, the breeding population was restricted to a handful of pairs in [South Wales](/source/South_Wales), but recently the Welsh population has been supplemented by re-introductions in England and Scotland. In 2004, from 375 occupied territories identified, at least 216 pairs were thought to have hatched eggs and 200 pairs reared at least 286 young.[2] In 1989, six Swedish birds were released at a site in north Scotland and four Swedish and one Welsh bird in [Buckinghamshire](/source/Buckinghamshire).[47] Altogether, 93 birds of Swedish and Spanish origin were released at each of the sites. In the second stage of reintroduction in 1995 and 1996, further birds were brought from Germany to populate areas of [Dumfries and Galloway](/source/Dumfries_and_Galloway). Between 2004 and 2006, 94 birds were brought from the Chilterns and introduced into the [Derwent Valley](/source/River_Derwent%2C_North_East_England) in north East England.[47] In Northern Ireland, 80 birds from wild stock in Wales were released between 2008 and 2010, and the first successful breeding was recorded in 2010. The reintroductions in [the Chilterns](/source/The_Chilterns) [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty](/source/Area_of_Outstanding_Natural_Beauty) have been a success. Between 1989 and 1993, 90 birds were released there and by 2002, 139 pairs were breeding.[48] They can commonly be seen taking advantage of thermals from the [M40 motorway](/source/M40_motorway).[49] Another successful reintroduction has been in [Northamptonshire](/source/Northamptonshire), which has become a stronghold for the red kite.[50] Thirty Spanish birds were introduced into [Rockingham Forest](/source/Rockingham_Forest) near [Corby](/source/Corby) in 2000,[51] and by 2010, the [RSPB](/source/Royal_Society_for_the_Protection_of_Birds) estimated that over 200 chicks had been reared from the initial release. So successful has the reintroduction been that 30 chicks have been transported from Rockingham Forest for release in [Cumbria](/source/Cumbria).[52] By 2021 they had spread along the M4 as far as the Cotswold Edge overlooking the Severn near Bristol.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] From the Chilterns they have spread as far east as [Essex](/source/Essex) and can be seen over [Harlow](/source/Harlow), with sightings as far east as Colchester in 2025. [53]

A sighting of the first red kite in London for 150 years was reported in *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)* newspaper in January 2006[54] and in June of that year, the UK-based Northern Kites Project reported that kites had bred in the Derwent Valley in and around [Rowlands Gill](/source/Rowlands_Gill), [Tyne and Wear](/source/Tyne_and_Wear) for the first time since the re-introduction.[55]

In 1999, the red kite was named 'Bird of the Century' by the [British Trust for Ornithology](/source/British_Trust_for_Ornithology).[44] According to the Welsh Kite Trust, it has been voted "Wales's favourite bird".[56]

In June 2010, the [Forestry Commission](/source/Forestry_Commission) North West England announced a three-year project to release 90 red kites in [Grizedale Forest](/source/Grizedale_Forest), [Cumbria](/source/Cumbria) under a special licence issued by [Natural England](/source/Natural_England). The Grizedale programme was the ninth reintroduction of red kites into different regions of the UK and the final re-introduction phase in England.[57]

The stated aims of the Grizedale project were:

- To establish a viable population of red kites in Grizedale, South Cumbria by 2015.

- To increase the rate of red kite expansion into North West England and link up with existing populations in Wales, Yorkshire, North East England and South West Scotland and so increase the chances of a continuous geographical range.

- To develop community involvement and create educational opportunities arising from the project.[58]

As of July 2011, non-breeding birds are regularly seen in all parts of Britain, and the number of breeding pairs is too large for the RSPB to continue to survey them on an annual basis.[59]

In the 2020s, the UK kite population was deemed stable enough that, beginning in 2022, a small number of chicks have been taken to Spain to help recover populations there.[60]

### Ireland

Red kites were extinct in Ireland by the middle 19th century due to persecution, poisoning and woodland clearance. In May 2007, [Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government](/source/Minister_for_the_Environment%2C_Community_and_Local_Government) [Dick Roche](/source/Dick_Roche) announced an agreement to bring at least 100 birds from Wales to restock the population as part of a five-year programme in the [Wicklow Mountains](/source/Wicklow_Mountains), similar to the earlier [golden eagle](/source/Golden_eagle) reintroduction programme.[61] On 19 July 2007, the first 30 red kites were released in [County Wicklow](/source/County_Wicklow).[62][63] On 22 May 2010, two newly hatched red kite chicks were discovered in the Wicklow Mountains,[64] bringing the number of chicks hatched since reintroduction to seven.[65]

### Populations and trends by country

A young red kite in [Cookham](/source/Cookham), [Berkshire](/source/Berkshire).

The following figures (mostly estimates) have been collated from various sources.[4][66][67][68][69][70][71] They cover most of the countries in which red kites are believed to have bred.

Country Year Pairs Trend Notes Albania 0 Unknown Bred 1906 Algeria 0 Bred in the 19th century, now extinct Austria 2019 90–130 Extinct 1950, recolonised 1970s; 5–10 pairs in 2000 and since then rapidly increasing[72] Belarus 1997 1 Unknown Extinct 1950s, recolonised 1985; 10 pairs 1990 Belgium 2020 350–400 Declined to 1–2 known pairs in 1967, then recovery[2] Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 Unknown Bulgaria 0 Unknown May breed but no proof Canary Islands 0 Extinct 1970s Cape Verde 2000 1? 50–75 pairs late 1980s; effectively extinct Croatia 0 Unknown 2–5 pairs 1980s Czech Republic 2013 165–185 Extinct late 19th century, recolonised 1975 Denmark 2021 300–350[73] Extinct c. 1920, then recolonised (from Germany/Sweden) 1970s. Slow increase up until the early 2000s (17 known pairs in 2001), since then rapidly increasing[2] England 2011 c. 2,000 Extinct 1870s, reintroduced 1989–1992, recovering Estonia 1989 <1 Unknown France 2018 3,000–3,900 Rapidly declined from the 1980s until around 2010, since then stable or perhaps increasing locally[2] Germany 2018 14,000–16,000 15,000–25,000 pairs 1980s; declined up until around 2000, populations subsequently stabilised[2] Greece 0 Hungary c. 1998 1+ 30 pairs 1950s Ireland 2010 7 First successful breeding reported in 2010 following reintroduction in 2007 Italy c. 2002 300–400 70–150 pairs late 1980s. Clear increase in the mainland in recent decades, but almost extirpated in Sicily[2] Latvia 1992 0–50 Extinct 1964, then recolonised Lithuania 1988 1–2 Extinct, then recolonised 1981 Luxembourg 2015 90 Moldova 1990 1 Unknown Montenegro 1995 0 Unknown Morocco 2020 0 Last breeding pair in 2004; rare winter visitor[2] Netherlands 2018 15–20[74] Extinct 1852, recolonised 1970s, but highly irregular until 2008, since then regular and increasing Northern Ireland 2010 5 First successful breeding reported in 2010 following reintroduction in 2008 North Macedonia 0 Unknown Norway 1980 0 Bred occasionally in the 19th century Poland 2012 1,500–1,800[2] 400–450 pairs 1980s Portugal c. 1995 100–200 Appears to have rapidly decreased in recent decades, but accurate data lacking[2] Romania 1995 15–20 Unknown Russia 1992 0–50 Unknown Scotland 2009 135 Extinct 1886, reintroduced 1989–1992 Serbia Unknown Slovakia 1992 10–20 Unknown Spain 2018 2,312–2,440 10,000 pairs 1977 Sweden 2021 4,000–5,000[75] Increase from the low-point of 30–50 pairs in the 1970s[2] Switzerland 2013–2016 2,800–3,500 Declined 19th century, later recovery; 235–300 pairs in the late 1980s, 800–1,000 pairs in 1995. Tunisia 0 Bred in the 19th century, now extinct Turkey 0 Unknown May have bred in past but no firm evidence Ukraine 1990 5–8 Wales 2009 c. 1,000 Declined to two pairs in the 1930s, then recovery

## Observation

One of the best places to see the red kite in [Scandinavia](/source/Scandinavia) is [Scania](/source/Scania) in southern Sweden. It may be observed in one of its breeding locations such as the [Kullaberg](/source/Kullaberg) Nature Preserve near [Mölle](/source/M%C3%B6lle).[76] In Switzerland, they are a common sight in all rural areas, excluding the [Alps](/source/Alps) and its foothills.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Some of the best places to see them in the United Kingdom are Gigrin Farm near [Rhayader](/source/Rhayader), [mid Wales](/source/Mid_Wales), where hundreds are fed by the local farmer as a tourist attraction,[77] a Red Kite Feeding Station at [Llanddeusant](/source/Llanddeusant%2C_Carmarthenshire) in the [Brecon Beacons](/source/Brecon_Beacons), visited daily by over 50 birds,[78] and the Bwlch Nant yr Arian forest visitor centre in [Ceredigion](/source/Ceredigion)[79] where the rare [leucistic](/source/Leucistic) variant can be seen.[80] In England, the [Oxfordshire](/source/Oxfordshire) part of the [Chilterns](/source/Chilterns) has many red kites, especially near [Henley-on-Thames](/source/Henley-on-Thames) and [Watlington](/source/Watlington%2C_Oxfordshire), where they were introduced on [John Paul Getty](/source/John_Paul_Getty_Jr.)'s estate.[48] Red Kites are also becoming common across the border in [Buckinghamshire](/source/Buckinghamshire), often being seen near [Stokenchurch](/source/Stokenchurch), where a population was released in the 1990s, and [Flackwell Heath](/source/Flackwell_Heath) near [High Wycombe](/source/High_Wycombe). They can also be seen around [Harewood](/source/Harewood%2C_West_Yorkshire) near Leeds where they were re-introduced in 1999.[81] In Ireland they can be best observed at Redcross, near [Avoca, County Wicklow](/source/Avoca%2C_County_Wicklow).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## See also

- [Beheading the Kite](/source/Beheading_the_Kite)

- [Shite-hawk](/source/Shite-hawk)

## Footnotes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Fossil remains are known from between 130 and 10 thousand years ago.[1]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Milvus milvus"](https://www.mindat.org/taxon-5229168.html). *www.mindat.org*. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-14) [***p***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-15) [***q***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-16) [***r***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-17) [***s***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-18) [***t***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-19) [***u***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-20) [***v***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-21) [***w***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_19_November_2021_3-22) BirdLife International (2020). ["*Milvus milvus*"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22695072/181651010). *[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List)*. **2020** e.T22695072A181651010. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22695072A181651010.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22695072A181651010.en). Retrieved 19 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-regalis_4-0)** [Powys, 4th Baron Lilford, Thomas Littleton](/source/Thomas_Powys%2C_4th_Baron_Lilford); [Salvin, Osbert](/source/Osbert_Salvin); [Newton, Alfred](/source/Alfred_Newton); [Keulemans, John Gerrard](/source/John_Gerrard_Keulemans) (1885). [*Coloured figures of the birds of the British Islands*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34514829). Vol. 1. London: R. H. Porter. pp. 25f. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1029665771](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1029665771). Retrieved 19 May 2020.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_numeric_names:_authors_list)) See also: [Gould, John](/source/John_Gould) (1873). [*The Birds of Great Britain*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/53017879). Vol. I. pp. Plate 22 (and accompanying text).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bwpc_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bwpc_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bwpc_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-bwpc_5-3) Snow, D. W.; Perrins, C. M. (1998). [*The Birds of the Western Palearctic*](/source/The_Birds_of_the_Western_Palearctic) (Concise ed.). Oxford University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-854099-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-854099-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gambia_6-0)** Barlow, C.; Wacher, T.; Disley, T. (1997). *A Field Guide to Birds of the Gambia and Senegal*. Mountfield, UK: Pica Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-873403-32-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-873403-32-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["kite"](https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/103752). *[Oxford English Dictionary](/source/Oxford_English_Dictionary)* (online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or [participating institution membership](https://www.oed.com/public/login/loggingin#withyourlibrary) required.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Linnaeus1758_8-0)** [Linnaeus, C.](/source/Carl_Linnaeus) (1758). [*Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726996) (in Latin). Vol. 1. Stockholm: Laurentius Salvius. p. 89. F. cera flava, cauda forsicata, corpore ferrugineo, capite albidiore.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Jobling_9-0)** Jobling, James A. (2010). [*The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names*](https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling). London: Christopher Helm. p. [255](https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling/page/n255). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4081-2501-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4081-2501-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Lacepede_10-0)** [Lacépède, Bernard Germain de](/source/Bernard_Germain_de_Lac%C3%A9p%C3%A8de) (1799). ["Tableau des sous-classes, divisions, sous-division, ordres et genres des oiseux"](https://books.google.com/books?id=6uhAAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA78). *Discours d'ouverture et de clôture du cours d'histoire naturelle* (in French). Paris: Plassan. p. 4. Page numbering starts at one for each of the three sections.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ioc_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ioc_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ioc_11-2) [Gill, Frank](/source/Frank_Gill_(ornithologist)); Donsker, David, eds. (2018). ["New World vultures, Secretarybird, kites, hawks, eagles"](http://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/raptors/). *World Bird List Version 8.2*. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 24 September 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Hille, Sabine M.; Collar, Nigel J. (2009). ["The taxonomic and conservation status of *Milvus* kites in the Cape Verde archipelago: further (and final?) reflections"](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/47491083). *Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club*. **129** (4): 217–221.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hille2000_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hille2000_13-1) Hille, Sabine; Thiollay, Jean-Marc (2000). ["The imminent extinction of the kites *Milvus milvus fasciicauda* and *Milvus m. migrans* on the Cape Verde Islands"](https://doi.org/10.1017%2Fs0959270900000319). *Bird Conservation International*. **10** (4): 361–369. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/s0959270900000319](https://doi.org/10.1017%2Fs0959270900000319).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Johnson_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Johnson_14-1) Johnson, Jeff A.; Watson, Richard T.; Mindell, David P. (2005). ["Prioritizing species conservation: does the Cape Verde kite exist?"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1560339). *[Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences](/source/Proceedings_of_the_Royal_Society_B%3A_Biological_Sciences)*. **272** (7): 1365–1371. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1098/rspb.2005.3098](https://doi.org/10.1098%2Frspb.2005.3098). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [1560339](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1560339). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [16006325](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16006325).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Schreiber2000_15-0)** Schreiber, Arnd; Stubbe, Michael; Stubbe, Annegret (2000). "Red kite (*Milvus milvus*) and black kite (*M. migrans*): minute genetic interspecies distance of two raptors breeding in a mixed community (Falconiformes: Accipitridae)". *[Biological Journal of the Linnean Society](/source/Biological_Journal_of_the_Linnean_Society)*. **69** (3): 351–365. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1006/bijl.1999.0365](https://doi.org/10.1006%2Fbijl.1999.0365).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Heneberg_et_al_kite_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Heneberg_et_al_kite_16-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Heneberg_et_al_kite_16-2) Heneberg, Petr; Dolinay, Matej; Matuší, Hynek; Pfeiffer, Thomas; Nachtigall, Winfried; Bizos, Jiri; Šimčiková, Daniela; Literák, Ivan (2016). ["Conservation of the Red Kite Milvus milvus (Aves: Accipitriformes) Is Not Affected by the Establishment of a Broad Hybrid Zone with the Black Kite Milvus migrans migrans in Central Europe"](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0159202). *PLoS ONE*. **11** (7). Retrieved 30 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["First for UK as black and red kites produce two young"](https://www.scotsman.com/news/first-for-uk-as-black-and-red-kites-produce-two-young-2511048). The Scotsman. Retrieved 30 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Campbell2000_18-0)** Campbell, David (2000). "Red Kite". *The Encyclopedia of British Birds*. Bath: Parragon. p. 118. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7525-4159-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7525-4159-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-whiteredkite_19-0)** ["The White Kite"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090202133553/http://gigrin.co.uk/white_redkite.html). *Gigrin Farm – The Red Kite feeding station*. Gigrin Farm. Archived from [the original](http://www.gigrin.co.uk/white_redkite.html) on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECramp198043_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECramp198043_20-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECramp198043_20-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECramp198043_20-3) [Cramp 1980](#CITEREFCramp1980), p. 43.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Newton, I.; Davis, P. E.; Davis, J. E. (1989). "Age of first breeding, dispersal and survival of Red Kites *Milvus milvus* in Wales". *Ibis*. **131** (1): 16–21. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1474-919X.1989.tb02738.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1474-919X.1989.tb02738.x).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Evans, I. M.; Cordero, P. J.; Parkin, D. T. (1998). "Successful breeding at one year of age by Red Kites *Milvus milvus* in southern England". *Ibis*. **140** (1): 53–57. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1474-919X.1998.tb04540.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1474-919X.1998.tb04540.x).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECramp198040_23-0)** [Cramp 1980](#CITEREFCramp1980), p. 40.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECramp198042_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECramp198042_24-1) [Cramp 1980](#CITEREFCramp1980), p. 42.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-euring_25-0)** ["European Longevity Records"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181015002827/https://euring.org/data-and-codes/longevity-list?page=1). Euring. Archived from [the original](https://euring.org/data-and-codes/longevity-list?page=1) on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bto_26-0)** ["Summary of Ringing Totals - Longevity records 2021"](https://app.bto.org/ring/countyrec/results2021/longevity.htm). [British Trust for Ornithology](/source/British_Trust_for_Ornithology). Retrieved 31 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["One of the first red kites released into Thames Valley dies"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-65646200). *BBC News*. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ferguson_28-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ferguson_28-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Ferguson_28-2) Ferguson-Lees, James, and David A. Christie. Raptors of the world. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** J. T. GARCÍA; J. VIÑUELA; C. SUNYER (1998). Geographic variation of the winter diet of the Red Kite *Milvus milvus* in the Iberian Peninsula., 140(2), 302–309.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Wildman, L., L. O'Toole, and R. W. Summers. "The diet and foraging behaviour of the Red Kite in northern Scotland." Scottish Birds 19 (1998): 134-140.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Korpimäki, Erkki, and Kai Norrdahl. "Avian predation on mustelids in Europe 1: occurrence and effects on body size variation and life traits." Oikos (1989): 205-215.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Pugh_32-0)** Pugh, Elfyn. ["The Red Kite"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100130042749/http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/features/red-kite2.asp). Birds of Britain. Archived from [the original](http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/features/red-kite2.asp) on 30 January 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_33-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_33-1) Orros, Melanie E.; Fellowes, Mark D. E. (2015). ["Widespread supplementary feeding in domestic gardens explains the return of reintroduced Red Kites *Milvus milvus* to an urban area"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4409027). *Ibis*. **157** (2): 230–238. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/ibi.12237](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fibi.12237). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [4409027](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4409027). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [25937644](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25937644).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Orros, Melanie E.; Fellowes, Mark D. E. (2014). ["Supplementary feeding of the reintroduced Red Kite *Milvus milvus* in UK gardens"](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F00063657.2014.885491). *Bird Study*. **61** (2): 260–263. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/00063657.2014.885491](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F00063657.2014.885491).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-yorkshireredkites_35-0)** ["Red Kites and poisons"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220724/http://www.yorkshireredkites.net/index.php/important-info/red-kites-and-poisons). Yorkshire Red Kites. Archived from [the original](http://www.yorkshireredkites.net/index.php/important-info/red-kites-and-poisons) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Carrell2014_36-0)** Carrell, Severin (3 April 2014). ["Scottish bird of prey colony hit by mass poisonings"](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/apr/03/scottish-birtd-of-prey-colony-mass-poisonings). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 12 December 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HeraldSeries_37-0)** ["Wildlife crime soars"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141213022844/http://www.heraldseries.co.uk/search/1684528.Wildlife_crime_soars/). *The Herald Series*. 12 September 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.heraldseries.co.uk/search/1684528.Wildlife_crime_soars/) on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2009. In Didcot, poisoned rabbits were laid out as bait disguised as road-kill, targeting red kites

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["Red kite awareness campaign after reports of stolen food"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-66360726). *BBC News*. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** Trivedi, Shruti (27 April 2018). ["Fresh warning over red kite 'attacks' in Higginson Park, Marlow"](https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/16190370.Fresh_warning_over_red_kite____attacks____in_popular_park/). *[Bucks Free Press](/source/Bucks_Free_Press) Online*. [Bucks Free Press](/source/Bucks_Free_Press). Retrieved 9 October 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Evans1991_40-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Evans1991_40-1) Evans, I. M.; Pienkowski, M. W. (1991). "World status of the Red Kite". *Brit. Birds*. **94**: 171–187.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WelshKiteTrust_41-0)** ["Red Kites decline in Europe"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131108015436/http://www.gigrin.co.uk/w/europe/europe.html). Welsh Kite Trust. Archived from [the original](http://www.gigrin.co.uk/w/europe/europe.html) on 8 November 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RK_DK_42-0)** ["Fugleart sætter rekord i Danmark: – Det er helt fantastisk"](https://nyheder.tv2.dk/lokalt/2022-01-11-fugleart-saetter-rekord-i-danmark-det-er-helt-fantastisk). TV2. 11 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** ["Landskapssyboler"](https://www.lansstyrelsen.se/download/18.840e7ca163033c061f4d7c7/1526068697249/landskapsymboler_alla.pdf) (PDF). lansstyrelsen.se. Retrieved 30 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** ["Grafisk handbok – Tomelilla kommun"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230109103307/https://www.tomelilla.se/fileadmin/tomelilla/kommun_och_politik/pressinfo/pdf/Grafisk_handbok.pdf) (PDF). tomelilla.se. Archived from [the original](https://www.tomelilla.se/fileadmin/tomelilla/kommun_och_politik/pressinfo/pdf/Grafisk_handbok.pdf) (PDF) on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Radio4_45-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Radio4_45-1) ["BBC Radio 4, Debating Animals, Series 2, The Kestrel and Red Kite by Rod Liddle"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yz3t2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NewKay_46-0)** Atrill, Rod. ["The Red Kite in West Wales"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110831101832/http://www.newquay-westwales.co.uk/kite.htm). *New Quay on Cardigan Bay in West Wales*. Rod Attrill. Archived from [the original](http://www.newquay-westwales.co.uk/kite.htm) on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-McCarthy2007_47-0)** McCarthy, Michael (23 March 2007). ["Book Review:Silent Field, By Roger Lovegrove: songbirds versus shotguns"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121103122615/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/silent-fields-by-roger-lovegrove-441401.html). *The Independent*. London. Archived from [the original](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/silent-fields-by-roger-lovegrove-441401.html) on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RSPB_conservation_48-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RSPB_conservation_48-1) ["Red Kite"](http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/redkite/conservation.aspx). *RSPB Conservation*. RSPB. Retrieved 26 October 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Chilterns_49-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Chilterns_49-1) Schurmer, Michael (November 2002). ["Breeding Bird Survey of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 2002"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110613151528/http://www.chilternsaonb.org/downloads/farm_birds_survey.pdf) (PDF). RSPB. Archived from [the original](http://www.chilternsaonb.org/downloads/farm_birds_survey.pdf) (PDF) on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-McCarthy2_50-0)** McCarthy, Michael. ["Red kite makes triumphant return in England and Scotland but numbers decline elsewhere"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140703/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/red-kite-makes-triumphant-return-in-england-and-scotland-but-numbers-decline-elsewhere-597894.html). *The Independent*. Archived from [the original](https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/red-kite-makes-triumphant-return-in-england-and-scotland-but-numbers-decline-elsewhere-597894.html) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-birdguides_51-0)** ["RSPB Red Kite numbers are soaring across the UK"](http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=1435). *Birdguides*. 15 September 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-northantset_52-0)** ["Red Kite project a soaring success"](http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local/corby/red_kite_project_a_soaring_success_1_773028). *Evening Telegraph*. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC_53-0)** ["Red kite chicks from Northamptonshire released to wild"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-11004972). *BBC News*. 17 August 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-54)** Banerjee, Anuska (10 June 2025). ["Protected bird of prey red kite seen flying over Essex"](https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/25226311.protected-bird-prey-red-kite-seen-flying-essex/). *[Daily Gazette (Colchester)](/source/Daily_Gazette_(Colchester))*. Retrieved 9 April 2026.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-McCarthy2006_55-0)** McCarthy, Michael (13 January 2006). ["Shakespeare's red kite returns to London after an absence of 150 years"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121103112619/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shakespeares-red-kite-returns-to-london-after-an-absence-of-150-years-522771.html). *The Independent on Sunday*. Independent News and Media Limited. Archived from [the original](https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shakespeares-red-kite-returns-to-london-after-an-absence-of-150-years-522771.html) on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC2006_56-0)** ["Delight as red kite chicks hatch"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/5084800.stm). *BBC News*. 16 June 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WalesFavBird_57-0)** ["The Welsh Kite Trust"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140105181926/http://welshkitetrust.org/). Archived from [the original](http://www.welshkitetrust.org/) on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WestmorlandGazette_58-0)** ["Red kites to make a Lake District return"](http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/8224578.Red_kites_to_make_a_Lake_District_return/). *The Westmorland Gazette*. Newsquest media group. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FC_Poster_59-0)** ["Grizedale Red Kite Project"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111012122724/http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/englandnweredkiteinfoposters.pdf/$FILE/englandnweredkiteinfoposters.pdf) (PDF). *Forestry Commission information posters*. Forestry commission. Archived from [the original](http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/englandnweredkiteinfoposters.pdf/$FILE/englandnweredkiteinfoposters.pdf) (PDF) on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rspb2_60-0)** ["Red kite: Distribution and population size"](http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/redkite/distribution_population.aspx). The RSPB. Retrieved 28 August 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-61)** Da Costa, Katharine. ["Back from the brink: UK red kites aid Spanish cousins"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crrez8x7l55o). *BBC News*. Retrieved 11 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NDP_62-0)** ["Golden Eagle Trust, Glenveagh National Park"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090406174556/http://www.ndp.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=%2Fdocuments%2Ffeatured-projects%2Fgoldeneagle.htm). *National Development plan*. NDP. Archived from [the original](http://www.ndp.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/featured-projects/goldeneagle.htm) on 6 April 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-environ.ie_63-0)** ["Red Kite Reintroduction Project in Wicklow"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110927120707/http://www.environ.ie/en/Heritage/NationalParksandWildlife/News/MainBody%2C5384%2Cen.htm). 21 May 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.environ.ie/en/Heritage/NationalParksandWildlife/News/MainBody,5384,en.htm) on 27 September 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-wildlifeextra_64-0)** ["Red Kites fly again in Ireland"](http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/ireland-kites.html#cr). *Wildlife Extra: News*. Wildlife Extra. Retrieved 26 October 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Melia2010_65-0)** Melia, Paul (22 May 2010). ["Two chicks about the size of a fist"](http://www.independent.ie/national-news/two-chicks-about-the-size-of-a-fist-2190451.html). *Irish Independent*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-goldeneagle_66-0)** ["Golden Eagle Trust | Red Kite | Project Updates"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305215209/http://www.goldeneagle.ie/news_viewnews.php?x=3&z=44&news_id=9&article=277). Goldeneagle.ie. Archived from [the original](http://www.goldeneagle.ie/news_viewnews.php?x=3&z=44&news_id=9&article=277) on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Carter2001_67-0)** Carter, Ian (2001). *The Red Kite*. Chelmsford, UK: Arlequin Press.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECramp198038_68-0)** [Cramp 1980](#CITEREFCramp1980), p. 38.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-holloway_69-0)** Holloway, S. (1996). *The Historical Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1875–1900*. T & A D Poyser. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-85661-094-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-85661-094-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rspb_70-0)** ["Red Kite numbers soar to new high"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080928031357/http://news.scotsman.com/latest-scottish-news/Red-Kite-numbers-soar-to.4492268.jp). *The Scotsman*. 28 September 2008. Archived from [the original](http://news.scotsman.com/latest-scottish-news/Red-Kite-numbers-soar-to.4492268.jp) on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Carter09_71-0)** Carter, Ian (2009): The Red Kite. presentation to the Cambridgeshire Bird Club, Cambridge, UK, 13 November 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-72)** Bstian, M., 2016. Soaring kites in Luxembourg... for how much longer? In: 33e réunion annuelle des collaborateurs scientifiques du Musée national d'histoire naturelle, Luxembourg 19 March 2016. Programm and Abstracts.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-73)** Uhl, H. (2019). "Artenschutzprojekt für den Rotmilan (Milvus milvus) und dessen Wiederbesiedlung Oberösterreichs". *Vogelkdl. Nachr. Österreich*. **27**: 37–54.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-74)** ["Fokus på røde rovfugle: Rød glente fortsætter sin fremgang i Danmark"](https://www.dof.dk/om-dof/nyheder?nyhed_id=2035). [Dansk Ornitologisk Forening](/source/Dansk_Ornitologisk_Forening) (Danish Ornithological Society). 3 January 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-75)** ["Zeldzame rode wouw nestelt bij Deventer"](https://www.destentor.nl/deventer/zeldzame-rode-wouw-nestelt-bij-deventer~a2914da3/). Dagblad De Stentor. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-76)** ["Röd glada"](https://cdn.birdlife.se/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Fagelaret-2019_fagelrapporten.pdf) (PDF). BirdLife Sverige). Retrieved 14 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hogan2005_77-0)** Hogan, C. Michael (2005): *Kullaberg Nature Reserve, Sweden*. Lumina technologies.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gigrin_78-0)** ["Red Kite Feeding Station — Gigrin Farm"](http://www.gigrin.co.uk). Retrieved 27 October 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-79)** ["Brecon Beacons Feeding Station"](https://redkiteswales.co.uk/). *Red Kites Wales*. Retrieved 8 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nantyrarian_80-0)** ["Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100802161924/http://www.nantyrarian.co.uk/). Bwlch Nant Yr Arian Visitor Centre. 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.nantyrarian.co.uk/) on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Melton2008_81-0)** Melton, Tom (13 August 2008). ["Leucistic Red Kite"](http://www.ephotozine.com/photo/967065). *ephotozone*. Retrieved 7 July 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Harewood_82-0)** ["Birder watchers' paradise"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/handsonnature/estates/harewood.shtml). *BBC Hands on Nature*. BBC. pp. Parks: Harewood Estate. Retrieved 26 October 2009.

## Sources

- [Cramp, Stanley](/source/Stanley_Cramp); et al., eds. (1980). "*Milvus milvus* Red Kite". *Handbook of the Birds of Europe the Middle East and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic*. Vol. II: *Hawks to Bustards*. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 36–44. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-857505-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-857505-4).

## Further reading

- Carter, Ian; Grice, Phil (2000). ["Studies of re-established Red Kites in England"](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/51259093). *British Birds*. **93**: 304–322.

- Evans, Ian M. (1997). ["The re-establishment of Red Kite breeding populations in Scotland and England"](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/51322838). *British Birds*. **90**: 123–138.

- Mougeot, François; Bretagnolle, Vincent (2006). "Breeding biology of the Red Kite *Milvus milvus* in Corsica". *Ibis*. **148** (3): 436–448. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1474-919X.2006.00558.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1474-919X.2006.00558.x). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [55220709](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:55220709).

- Newton, I.; Davis, P. E.; Davis, J. E. (1989). "Age of first breeding, dispersal and survival of Red Kites *Milvus milvus* in Wales". *Ibis*. **131** (1): 16–21. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1474-919X.1989.tb02738.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1474-919X.1989.tb02738.x).

- [Turner, William](/source/William_Turner_(naturalist)) (1903) [1544]. [*Turner on birds: a short and succinct history of the principal birds noticed by Pliny and Aristotle first published by Doctor William Turner, 1544*](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/21148979) (in Latin and English). Translated by [Evans, A. H.](/source/Arthur_Humble_Evans) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 117.

- Viñuela, Javier; Bustamante, Javier (1992). ["Effect of growth and hatching asynchrony on the fledging age of black and red kites"](https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/auk/v109n04/p0748-p0757.pdf) (PDF). *Auk*. **109** (4): 748–757. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/4088150](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F4088150). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [4088150](https://www.jstor.org/stable/4088150).

- Walters Davies, P.; Davis, P. E. (1973). ["The ecology and conservation of the Red Kite in Wales"](https://britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V66/V66_N05/V66_N05_P183_225_A041.pdf) (PDF). *British Birds*. **66**: 183–224, [241-270](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/48991936).

- [Willughby, Francis](/source/Francis_Willughby) (1678). ["The Kite or Glead: *Milvus carda forcipata*"](https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/41441871). *The ornithology of Francis Willughby of Middleton in the county of Warwick*. London: John Martyn. pp. 74–75.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [the red kite](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Milvus_milvus).

[Wikispecies](/source/Wikispecies) has information related to ***[Milvus milvus](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Milvus_milvus)***.

- [Friends of Red Kites - Details about the reintroduced kites in the Derwent Valley, Gateshead](http://friendsofredkites.org.uk/)

- [BBC Wales Nature - Red Kite footage](https://web.archive.org/web/20160105022352/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/nature/mediaexplorer/?theme_group=species&theme=birds&set=red_kite)

- [BBC Report about this bird's redemption in UK culture from a hated *shithawk* to a beloved bird](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yz3t2)

- [The Welsh Kite Trust - includes UK breeding reports](http://www.gigrin.co.uk/)

- [About Red Kites - includes latest figures available in UK](https://web.archive.org/web/20150509150050/http://www.redkites.co.uk/)

- [Details Red Kites in the Chilterns - about the reintroduced kites in the Chilterns](http://www.redkites.net)

- [Red Kites in Yorkshire](http://www.yorkshireredkites.net/)

- [Red Kites in Berkshire (Berkshire Ornithological Club) - 2006/2007 Survey](https://web.archive.org/web/20131211091642/http://www.berksoc.org.uk/surveys/kites_and_buzzards_2006_results.shtml)

- [Adult and juvenile Red Kite wing identification images (PDF; 5.6 MB) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze](http://blascozumeta.com/wp-content/uploads/aragon-birds/non-passeriformes/105.redkite-mmilvus.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190320021550/http://blascozumeta.com/wp-content/uploads/aragon-birds/non-passeriformes/105.redkite-mmilvus.pdf) 20 March 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- ["Red kite media"](https://www.hbw.com/ibc/species/red-kite-milvus-milvus). *[Internet Bird Collection](/source/Internet_Bird_Collection)*.

- [Red kite photo gallery](https://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=red+kite&showwhat=images&AGE=All&SEX=All&ACT=All&Search=Search&VIEW=All&ORIENTATION=All&RESULTS=24) at VIREO (Drexel University)

- [Interactive range map of *Milvus milvus*](http://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22695072/210523277) at [IUCN Red List](http://www.iucnredlist.org)

Taxon identifiers Milvus milvus Wikidata: Q156250 Wikispecies: Milvus milvus ADW: Milvus_milvus Avibase: 4E76C8C0 BioLib: 8505 BirdLife: 22695072 BOW: redkit1 BTO: bob2390 CoL: 43DZJ CMS: milvus-milvus eBird: redkit1 EUNIS: 1144 EURING: 2390 Fauna Europaea: 96689 Fauna Europaea (new): 6dd8b27c-1401-4fe0-93f5-e74455dda7ca GBIF: 5229168 IBC: red-kite-milvus-milvus iNaturalist: 5267 IRMNG: 10892006 ITIS: 175470 IUCN: 22695072 NBN: NHMSYS0000530482 NCBI: 43518 Observation.org: 12 OBIS: 1037320 Open Tree of Life: 38956 Paleobiology Database: 369309 Species+: 6274 TSA: 10720 WoRMS: 1037320 Xeno-canto: Milvus-milvus Falco milvus Wikidata: Q106447728 GBIF: 4408390 WoRMS: 1037321 ZooBank: 15AD53FB-584D-4573-BC22-1391E4A615C0

v t e National symbols of Wales Flags of Wales Flag of Wales Flag of Saint David Royal Heraldry Royal Badge of Wales Coat of arms of the Prince of Wales Prince of Wales's feathers Welsh Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) Welsh heraldry Music Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau Male voice choir Welsh harp Flora and Fauna Daffodil Leek Red kite Sessile Oak Cultural symbols Eisteddfod Lovespoon Welsh Rugby Traditional costume Welsh language Cuisine Bara Brith Cawl Laverbread Welsh cakes Welsh rarebit

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Red kite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_kite) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_kite?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.