Red Kite vs Buzzard: How to Tell Them Apart

This raptor is bigger than the Buzzard; its distinct forked tail and its long, bowed wings help to identify this bird when it's in the air. The female is larger than the male, but the sexes are otherwise similar. When perched, this bird appears reddish-brown with dark streaks, and a pale grey head; the tail is orange-red. When flying, there's a pale patch underneath the wing near to the end, a dark mark where the wing bends, and black, fingered wingtips. The tail appears silvery-grey, and the base of the bill and legs are yellow. The streaking on juvenile birds is more subtle, and they're pale brown beneath the tail with a narrow white line on the upper wing.

Most popular breeding areas in the region are central Wales, central England, northern Scotland and Northern Ireland. Prefers to breed in mature, open woodland, and hunt on farmland, moorland and open country, and uses ditches and the like to scavenge from roads. Makes communal roosts in the woods during winter months.

A shrill call is most often uttered during flight, likened to somebody whistling for their dog: 'peeee-ooow'.

A burly raptor with broad wings (the feathers at their tips appear finger-like), a short neck, and a wide tail. The plumage can vary from all dark to white, though these are rare examples; majority of birds are brownish. Females are larger than males, but taking into account the variation in pattern, the sexes are otherwise similar. The breast usually has a pale crescent separating it from the throat and belly and is intricately barred. When flying, the wings have a dark trailing edge and the tail is darkly banded; wings are held in a 'V' when not beating. Juvenile birds are mostly dark with streaking; they lack the dark tail and wing markings of the adult.

Habitats can be quite varied and include open country and farmland with sections of woodland, moorland, and rocky coasts. Nests in woodland or crags.

The year-round call of flying birds in the distance can alert observers to the their presence. Utters a mewing call that sounds like 'pee-ay'.