Red Kite and Buzzard calls?

[Ringo1968]

Yesterday i saw 2 raptors accompanied by one young in the distance. They flew around and then found a thermal and began rising out of sight. I heard plenty of calls but it is difficult to tell a Red Kites call from a Buzzards. I have seen kites in this area before but it could have been buzzards, do kites have a more 'whistling' type call than buzzards?

[Jim Ford]

I've noticed that buzzards will give just the one call at a time, but kites will give a 'phrase' of three.

Jim

[Dogghound]

There wont be young birds with adults at this time of year.

Buzzards make a mewing call, kites make a mew but then follow it up with a drawn out call thats drops and rises in tone. You should be able to pick them up by sight in the field they are distinctively different in flight and shape.

[nikolai_avenger]

It is entirely possible that what you have seen is not a 'youngster' but 2 buzzards and a sparrowhawk; sparrowhawks will often use the thermals and I saw one the other day soaring along with five buzzards. After a minute or so it suddenly took off toward some trees.

Cheers. Nik.