The Red Kite or Milvus milvus,Mid Wales has the greatest density and diversity of birds of prey


Red kites are a chestnut red with striking white patches under the wings and a whitish head. Viewed from above, a broad white crescent curves across the inner part of the wings, but it is the underside that produces the most startling image. The pale grey head is equipped with hooded amber eyes ringed with lemon yellow. The beak, wickedly hooked and very sharp, is designed for tearing meat and killing small prey animals. It has a wingspan of nearly two metres, but a relatively small body weight of 2 - 3 Ibs. This means the bird is incredibly agile, and can stay in the air for many hours with hardly a beat of its wings. The Kite has excellent eye sight and uses this when over flying the countryside in search of food. The long fingered primary feathers are white with black tips and being bordered by chestnut coverts and dark grey secondaries give the dazzling patches of contrast seen in every kite.


Size: 5150px × 3433px
Photo credit: © Steve Welsh / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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