Red kite

The Red kite is the most colourful of the two Kites in the Netherlands. Like the Black kite a small number of couples nest in the Netherlands. Other observations are rare drifters. It is one of teh very few birds of prey that only occur in Europe. Heavy persecution caused a strong decrease in numbers and local extinction. Protective measures have made an end to this and currently it has returned to our neaighbour countries. It eats mainly carrion but also catches prey to the size of a rabbit.

I saw my first Red kite in januari 2015 on the Maasvlakte. Later I saw one while searching for Black grouses on the Holterberg. Most impressive was seeing a group of 50+ kites (Black and Red) circling in the French Pyrenees.

All my pictures can be seen here

Field characteristics

Lean, elegant bird of prey with a long buckled wings and a long forked tail. Wings are held in a pronounced angle, the tail often turned over. The body is orange brown with a light head and large light wingpatches. The tail is also orange brown.

Sound:

High and lurid