Adult Red Kites are slightly larger than the common Buzzard and are Rufous Red with striking white patches under the wing. They have a pale grey head and unmistakable forked tail.

The head has pale lemon yellow eyes and like all raptors the beak is wickedly hooked, very sharp and is designed for tearing flesh.

The Kite has excellent eye sight and uses it to great effect while soaring over the country side in search of food.

A few fact:

Lenght Male 55-65 cms (22 - 26 inches) Females slightly larger than males

Wing Span 1.75 to 1.95m (5 1/2 to 6 1/2 ft)

Weight Male 800 -1000g (28 - 35ozs)

Weight Female 1000 -1200g (35 - 42ozs)

Breeding They begin breeding at 2 to 3 years

Breeding Season March to July

No of Eggs laid normally 1 -4 5 very occasionally

Incubation 28 to 37 days

Fledging 45 to 70 days

Diet maily carrion small mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates (especially worms)

Life Span should be long lived, 15 plus years, oldest in Scotland in their 18th year, several recorded in Wales approaching 20 years. The oldest British Kite is 26 years old.