The Red Kite is one of the most beautiful birds of prey in Europe. A wingspan of nearly two metres
and a relatively small body weight means the bird is incredibly agile and can stay in the air for hours
with hardly a beat of its wings.
Until 2006, kites had not bred in the north east of England for almost two hundred
years, but would once have been common. They died out largely because of persecution, including shooting and
poisoning, by game and farming interests. Many of their usual sources of food, such as middens and rubbish heaps also
disappeared.
Red Kites eat mainly carrion (dead animals) but will also take small live prey such as beetles, other
large insects, earthworms and some small mammals and birds.
Extract from RSPB Complete Birds of Britain by Rob Hume and The Collins Gem Guide.
Birds.
