Red kites are large birds, with body lengths of 60–70 cm and wingspans of up to 2 metres. They are distinguished from other British birds of prey by their long, distinctive forked tails. Red kites have angular wings, with white patches underneath and dark ‘fingered’ wing tips. Adults have a reddish-brown body with dark streaks and a pale grey head, yellow beak with a black tip, and yellow legs. They are sometimes mistaken for buzzards, which are smaller, with rounded wings and tails.
Like other birds of prey, red kites regurgitate pellets of matter that contain undigestible material, including teeth, bones and fur. Pellets collected from nest sites therefore provide valuable information on the diet of both adult and young birds.
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