red kite

[Acipiter]

I saw a red kite on my patch today, this is the first time there has been one to my knowledge just here, although there is a pair that as been in the general area for about 2 years. My question is while I was inside the wood it was calling loudly over my head, why was this? It can not be territorial can it, because I only see one or two now and again in this area. Could it have been a young bird calling to its parent, or its mate? I have looked in all of my books and the net, and the only thing I could find on the subject was it only calls outside the breeding season, at roosting sites, and I know this can not the reason in this case.

[RKB]

Why can't it? It might just have been trying to locate other kites. They are very vocal and sociable birds. It may have also been calling to a bird that you couldn't see or hear.

[Acipiter]

Hello RKB, you will have to forgive me, I know very little about this species, apart from what I have read. Because like I said before, I only see one or two here now and again. I am now reading my Collings bird of prey book, on the subject of the voice. Relative silent normally only calls near the nest or outside the breeding season in the morning and evenings at roosting sites. Like you say it could well have been calling to a bird I could not see at the time. Its just that the book says its a relative silent species. although I have been to Gigrin farm in Wales and know this is not the case.

[RKB]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

Hello RKB, you will have to forgive me, I know very little about this species, apart from what I have read. Because like I said before, I only see one or two here now and again. I am now reading my Collings bird of prey book, on the subject of the voice. Relative silent normally only calls near the nest or outside the breeding season in the morning and evenings at roosting sites. Like you say it could well have been calling to a bird I could not see at the time. Its just that the book says its a relative silent species. although I have been to Gigrin farm in Wales and know this is not the case.

I get them in the garden, and they are probably more vocal than Buzzards. They often call whenever there are a couple together, such as around food and roost sites, and commonly sit in the trees and call. Most I've had together in the garden was 23 - hell of a racket!

[Acipiter]

Thank you RKB, now I have given the matter more thought, I think there could well have been one, I could have not seen. Its just that I thought it was a bit strange at the time. So much for reading books! I know I have learned things on the sparrowhawk through my field studies, that have not been documented in "any" book so far.