Their underside is a paler version of their back and Identifiable, the red kite has reddish-brown feathers with a white head andĭark streaks throughout. It has now been successfully reintroduced into both England and Scotland, as well as having significant populations in Wales. Perhaps the most graceful and eye-catching birds of prey in Britain, the red kite was on the brink of extinction before being saved by one of the longest-running conservation programmes in the world. They also eat invertebrates such as beetles, grasshoppers and worms, as well as Kestrel consists primarily of small mammals like mice, shrews and voles, but The females are slightly larger and darker, with barsĪnd streaks instead of spots and a darker crown. Males can also be identified by their grey heads and chestnut-coloured plumage
Tail and pointed wings are probably their most distinguishing feature, but the Still most comfortable in grasslands and heathlands and can be seen hovering by Spotted frequently even in larger towns and cities.
#Sweet bird of prey book full#
Generally contain between two and seven eggs and they reach full maturity in asīirds have adapted remarkably well to the urbanisation of the UK and can be On songbirds, with up to 120 different species recorded as their prey, but willĪlso eat small mammals such as hares, rabbits and rodents. Both have yellow feet and eyes, with black beaks fringed with a yellow cere. The latter, on the other hand, have dark brown wings and backs, with a white breast barred by brown. The former has blue or grey feathers on their upper body, while their underbelly is white flecked with reddish-brown. The male and the female vary dramatically in their appearance. Themselves to themselves and can be difficult to spot in amongst the foliage. Sparrowhawk is the bird of prey most likely to pay a visit to your back garden.ĭespite their roving tendencies, however, these diminutive raptors still keep They usually nest between March and May, with each female laying Is mewling and plaintive and can be mistaken for that of a cat.įood consists of small mammals, such as mice, rabbits and voles, but they’reįar from fussy – they’ll also gobble up amphibians, insects, reptiles and even Legs are yellow, while their black beaks have a yellow cere as well. Although they’re invariably brown in colour, the exact shade canĭiffer quite significantly, though their wingtips are always a darker hue and their Identified by their medium to large size, broad wingspan and short, fanned tailįeathers. Towns, though their populations are most densely concentrated in the Lakeĭistrict, Scotland, southwest England and Wales. They can be spotted across the whole of the nation, soaring above moorlandsĪnd pastures or even posing for pictures atop fence posts in small villages and Suggests, the common buzzard is the most widespread bird of prey found in the Of the rarer ones, too!) to help you confidently identify them in the future. Of background knowledge to some of the more common birds in Britain (and some
To know exactly which species you’ve seen. Them in the wild, meaning that today the UK boasts an enviable number ofĪ bird of prey near you recently? With so many out there, it can be difficult However, concerted efforts have been made to re-establish Of prey have lived on British shores for millennia, though their numbers haveīeen decimated in recent centuries due to hunting, habit displacement and a They are characterised by their sharp talons, keen eyesight and hooked bills and they make for a breath-taking sight as they soar over the landscape and swoop in on their quarry. Also known as raptors, birds of prey feed on small mammals, insects and other members of the avian population.
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