Red Kite, Milano real

Description:

Medium-large bird of prey. Red Kites are 60–66 cm long with a 175–179 cm wingspan. It is an elegant bird, soaring on long wings held at a dihedral, and long forked tail, twisting as it changes direction. The body, upper tail and wing coverts are rufous. The white primary flight feathers contrast with the black wing tips and dark secondaries. Apart from the weight difference, the sexes are similar, but juveniles have a buff breast and belly. Its call is a thin piping sound, similar to but less mewling than the Common Buzzard. The red kite can hybridize with the black kite in captivity and in Cape Verde islands in the wild. The Red Kite's diet consists mainly of small mammals such as mice, voles, shrews, young hares and rabbits. It feeds on a wide variety of carrion including sheep carcasses and dead game birds. Live birds are also taken and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Earthworms form an important part of the diet, especially in spring.

Habitat:

Spotted in open landscape with scattered bushes and Holm oaks.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/400 sec.; f/9; ISO Speed Rating: 400. Exposure Bias: +1 EV; Focal Length: 300.0 mm.