Bird 🦅
🦅
Milvus milvus
| Size | 60–66 cm Larger than a Buzzard, with a much longer forked tail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 750 g–1.6 kg About the weight of a pineapple |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Sexes look very similar; females are slightly larger |
| Habitat | Open woodland, valleys, farmland, increasingly suburban — soars on thermals over any open land |
| Best time | Year-round |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
Red Kites were reintroduced to England in 1989 using birds from Wales — one of Britain's greatest conservation success stories, now numbering over 10,000
Red Kites were reintroduced to England in 1989 using birds from Wales — one of Britain's greatest conservation success stories, now numbering over 10,000
More for experts
Kites decorate their nests with unusual items — litter, plastic bags, socks, and underwear have all been recorded. This appears to signal nest quality to potential mates
Often confused with
Buzzard (shorter rounded tail, no rusty-red), Marsh Harrier (long wings, no forked tail)
Buzzard (shorter rounded tail, no rusty-red), Marsh Harrier (long wings, no forked tail)