Home › Aves › Accipitridae › Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
Milvus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Western Europe (reintroduced in many areas)
DIET
Carnivorous/Scavenger
HABITAT
Farmland, woodland
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Accipitriformes
FAMILY
Accipitridae
GENUS
Milvus
📋 Description
SIZE
60-66 cm body length, wingspan 140-165 cm, 800-1300 g
COLORATION
Rusty-red, deeply forked tail, white patches
ADAPTATIONS
Graceful soaring, scavenger
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Farmland, woodland
DIET
Carnivorous/Scavenger
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Western Europe (reintroduced in many areas)
REPRODUCTION
1-3 eggs, 1 brood per year
DIET DETAILS
Carrion, small mammals, worms
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Historical persecution, poisoning
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The Red Kite has a deeply forked tail and elegant soaring flight. It was nearly extinct in Britain but has been successfully reintroduced.
2
It is now a common sight in many parts of the UK.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Black Forest Germany
Rhön Germany
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look for elegant kites with deeply forked tails soaring over countryside.
