Do Red Kites feed on small birds?

[Ringo1968]

They seem to spend all their time scavenging but are they quick enough to grab other birds?

[Adam Cheeseman]

Not as a matter of course, but I'm sure if the oppportunity arose to grab a sick or injured bird they wouldn't say no.

Cheers,

Adam

[RoyW]

I agree with Adam, birds will not be a typical part of a Red Kites diet, but I would be surprised if they haven't been recorded taking small birds on occasion.

[hels]

From a hunting point of view, kites are most likely to be hunting insects. However, given the right situation I'm sure they are capable if taking small birds

[FUDGEY]

According to several reports here in Dumfries and Galloway they take young waders pretty often.

[Hobjob]

You are all wrong;

They take domestic cats and babies - surely you knew that?

[Dogghound]

As far as significance in the diet and on prey populations is concerned birds are not particularly a significant food source. As I have mentioned on this forum before red kites will raid nests during the breeding season, during this period birds make up a large part of the diet. It is usually species which nest and forage in open areas that constitute larger parts of the diet. Birds like meadow pipits, lapwing, young partridge, starlings, nesting black-headed gulls etc. Birds like this are far more vulnerable to attack especially nesting waders and small gulls/terns.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

As far as significance in the diet and on prey populations is concerned birds are not particularly a significant food source. As I have mentioned on this forum before red kites will raid nests during the breeding season, during this period birds make up a large part of the diet. It is usually species which nest and forage in open areas that constitute larger parts of the diet. Birds like meadow pipits, lapwing, young partridge, starlings, nesting black-headed gulls etc. Birds like this are far more vulnerable to attack especially nesting waders and small gulls/terns.

While entirely correct, I'm not convinced that this answers the OP's question. Nestlings, and probably also the birds sitting on the nest, are certainly a food source utilized by Red Kites (and other raptors), but birds taken in this type of situation are usually readily able to get out of the way!

I was thinking more along the lines of fully fledged, free flying birds, and I am sure that these do form a very small part of the diet of Red Kites - though probably almost always taken by surprise. I wouldn't have though that a Red Kite would have the speed and agility for active pursuit.

Originally Posted by Hobjob

You are all wrong;

They take domestic cats and babies - surely you knew that?

Of course we all knew that Hobjob. Note the highlighted part of my earlier post (below):

Originally Posted by RoyW

I agree with Adam, birds will not be a typical part of a Red Kites diet, but I would be surprised if they haven't been recorded taking small birds on occasion.

The "typical" diet that I was referring to will of course be domestic cats and babies!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by RoyW

While entirely correct, I'm not convinced that this answers the OP's question. Nestlings, and probably also the birds sitting on the nest, are certainly a food source utilized by Red Kites (and other raptors), but birds taken in this type of situation are usually readily able to get out of the way!

I was thinking more along the lines of fully fledged, free flying birds, and I am sure that these do form a very small part of the diet of Red Kites - though probably almost always taken by surprise. I wouldn't have though that a Red Kite would have the speed and agility for active pursuit.

The OP had already been answered by other posters in my opinion. I was simply adding some additional information to the post. I think it answers the post and am not sure where you are coming from with this

I did state that they will take birds like starlings foraging in the open. So obviously they are quick enough, but how they do it is by ambush rather than pursuit.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

The OP had already been answered by other posters in my opinion. I was simply adding some additional information to the post. I think it answers the post and am not sure where you are coming from with this

I did state that they will take birds like starlings foraging in the open. So obviously they are quick enough, but how they do it is by ambush rather than pursuit.

My post wasn't meant to be a criticism of your answer, just a comment that I thought that the OP was asking whether kites can catch birds that are actively flying etc., while predation of nestlings/nesting birds doesn't require the same level of agility (I could also have 'picked' on Fudgeys post which mentions predation of wader chicks) - and none of the earlier answers, including my own, actually confirmed that Red Kites did take any birds other than wader chicks.

I have no doubt that it is additional information that the OP will be interested in reading - and I overlooked your mention of foraging Starlings (I'd like to see a kite try and raid one of their nest holes!).

Personally I would still be interested in any details anyone is able to give of recorded incidences of kites actively predating birds (other than nestling/chicks), and I'm guessing that the OP would be as well.




PS. The post that you quoted should have said that "Nestlings, and probably also the birds sitting on the nest, are certainly a food source utilized by Red Kites (and other raptors), but birds taken in this type of situation aren't usually readily able to get out of the way!"
(note change in bold!).