Average home range size is poorly defined and highly variable, as kites may hunt 2 to 25 km from their nest. Red kite home-ranges generally consists of their nesting and hunting area. Those that do migrate remain on the same continent, and often return to their natal grounds to breed. Some red kite populations are migratory others that occur in milder regions are sedentary. Red kites are social in winter and mate for life, so occur in pairs during the breeding season. In the winter, many kites roost together. Red kites nest in trees, often close to other kites. Wild records are unavailable, but related Milvus migrans have been recorded living up to 24 years in the wild. ( Mougeot, 2000 Newton, et al., 1996)Ĭaptive red kites are known to have lived 26 years in captivity. Parents will continue to feed the young a few weeks past the fledgling stage. When the chicks hatch, the male bird brings food to the nest for the female to tear into small pieces to feed them. The parents stay alert for nest predators, such as crows and ravens. The female carries out the majority of incubation with relief from the male for several 20-minute breaks during the day for feeding and exercise. Red kites are protective of the nest area, but not of the entire breeding territory. Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male) 3 yearsīoth parents assist in nest-building, usually in hardwood trees.Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female) 3 years.Breeding season Nest-building usually begins during March, but first-time breeders may not start until April.Breeding interval Red kites breed once yearly.gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate).Young attain adult plumage at around 1 year and will breed at about 3 years. Even after their first flight, young do not move far from their nests as parents continue to feed them around the nest for several weeks. At around 6 weeks the chicks will move away from the nest to exercise their wings. Incubation time is 31 to 32 days with an extra 3 days per additional egg.įledging can take 7 to 9 weeks, depending on food availability. This ensures that there will be a dominant chick who will likely outlive his siblings. One to three eggs are normally laid in April, produced at 3 day intervals. They are notorious for being easily disturbed at the nest. Winter is the best time for viewing kites because it minimizes disturbance to breeding kites. These birds normally pair for life, although, in winter they may spend time apart or in communal roosts. Red kites reach maturity between 2 and 4 years of age. ![]() Occasionally pairs courting this way fail to release each other in time and die. They also have mock talon grappling fights, spinning in mid air, spiraling toward the ground, parting at tree level. The birds play courtship games, such as flying towards each other and then turning and twisting away from each other at the last moment. Mated pairs are more successful in reproduction with experience.Ĭourtship begins for established pairs in March. Courtship each year renews the bond the pair already have. Red kites are monogamous and pair-bond for life, usually staying with each other year-round. Their wingspan ranges from 175 to 195 cm and body length from 60 to 66 cm. Females are generally larger ranging from 1000 to 1300 g in weight, males are 800 to 1200 g. They have hooked beaks which are very sharp and designed for tearing meat. The bright yellow legs and feet can often be seen in flight. They have pale grey heads which are streaked with black. The main wing feathers (secondaries and primaries) are dark brown, which contrast with white patches under the wings. Red kites are brownish-chestnut in color with a mix of orange/buff and darker brown or black streaking. Most red kites nest within 20 km of where they were reared. ![]() Red kites can be very protective of their nesting area, but are not highly territorial of their entire breeding territory. ![]() Sometimes red kites take over an old crow or buzzard nest. Generally these nests are built 10 to 15 m above ground. Their only requirements are large, mature trees in which to build nests. Red kites are a wide-ranging species with a wide habitat tolerance. ![]() ( Newton, et al., 1996 Snow and Perrins, 1998) Vagrant birds have been recorded as far north as Finland and south in Israel and Libya. Red kites from northeastern and central Europe migrate further south and west, reaching south to Turkey for the winter season. They are rare kites that are resident in western Europe and northwest Africa. Formerly, these birds of prey also occurred in northern Iran. Milvus milvus is endemic to the western Palearctic region in Europe and northwest Africa.
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