Red kite

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Red Kite
Red kite.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Domain Eukaryota
Kingdom Animalia
Subkingdom Bilateria
Branch Deuterostomia
Phylum Information
Phylum Chordata
Sub-phylum Vertebrata
Infraphylum Gnathostomata
Class Information
Superclass Tetrapoda
Class Aves
Sub-class Neornithes
Infra-class Neoaves
Order Information
Order Accipitriformes
Sub-order Accipitres
Family Information
Superfamily Accipitroidea
Family Accipitridae
Sub-family Milvinae
Genus Information
Genus Milvus
Species Information
Species M. milvus
Population statistics
Population 50,000-67,000 (2018 est.)[1]
Conservation status Near threatened[2]

The red kite (Milvus milvus), is a species of bird of prey of the family Accipitridae, and found over much of Europe and north Africa.

Description

Red kites are medium-sized, about 24 to 28 inches long, a wingspan of 69 to 70 inches, and weigh 28 to 46 ounces. Females are slightly larger than males. The head and neck are pale gray, with slightly-hidden yellow spots around amber-colored eyes. The beak is yellow at the base, dark gray or black towards the tip. The body is graceful, with long wings held in an elongated V-shape when soaring. The tail is long, with a fork-shaped recess. The plumage of the body, the upper part of the tail and wing coverts is tan, with dark longitudinal ones on the breast. Primary flight feathers are white with black endings, while the secondaries are dark gray. Legs are bright yellow, sometimes clearly visible from the ground during flight.

Cases have been noted of a cross between them and the similar-looking black kite (Milvus migrans), the result of which the hybrid offspring inherited intermediate characteristics of both species[3][4]. In addition, there is disagreement about the origin of the alleged subspecies M. m. fasciicauda[5], ​​previously discovered in the wild on the Cape Verde Islands, with some scientists suggesting that this may also be a hybrid form of the two species[6].

Range and habitat

The species breeds in Scandinavia, Central and Southern Europe, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, northern Iran, in Africa in northern Morroco and Tunisia, and the Canary and Cape Verde Islands. Birds nesting in the northern and eastern parts of the natural range (Sweden, Poland, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus) are migratory, migrating south and west in winter, mainly to the Mediterranean region. In the southwest of the range, red kites are sedentary.

It is found in deciduous and mixed forests near open spaces and cultural landscapes, preferring areas not too humid or too arid, to an elevation of about 2,600 feet. In Spain, where about 22% of all European populations nest and the main wintering area is located, the birds prefer intensively farmed areas.

Diet

The red kite is an active hunter, preying primarily on small mammals and birds; it will also on occasion take small reptiles and amphibians, and it has been seen feeding on carrion.

Threats

Although this species has a large range, it is continuing to suffer a marked decline in numbers, with the blame centered on poisoning, either directly via mammalian predator control in which bait has been treated, or indirectly by the consumption of small rodents which were targeted for control[7]. The Cape Verde islands population may be very close to, if not in actuality, extinct[8].

References

  1. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22695072/131877336#population
  2. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22695072/131877336
  3. https://www.scotsman.com/news-2-15012/first-for-uk-as-black-and-red-kites-produce-two-young-1-746515
  4. https://academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article/69/3/351/2638632
  5. http://www.europeanraptors.org/raptors/red_kite.html
  6. http://www.afrol.com/articles/16835
  7. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22695072/131877336#threats
  8. https://www.africanbirdclub.org/sites/default/files/CV_milvus_imm.pdf