Shakespeare makes several references about this bird, such as Autolycus in The Winters Tale. Referring to the robbery habits by the red kite when building their nests. Learn more about this specie in #ShortStories #DecisiveMoments.
With elegant wings, a bird of intense red-brown color rises through the skies, it is definitely an adult, since young ones do not possess that tone yet. He spreads its wings with its white feathers contrasting with the black ones, becoming a magnificent species of up to 2 meters in length. It beats its wings in the altitude, looking down to find food, but not to hunt it, it’s looking for carrion.
When it’s not exploring for food, he is protecting his family. Recently he saw a fox approaching its young exploring the ground, so he warned them with a sound that meant to say “play dead.” As they did, the fox left them there, motionless, thinking they would still be there when he returned. The chicks survived. This survival instinct may be the reason why this species has recovered so much in terms of population in certain places, although in other European countries their numbers in general are in sharp decline. It is thought that the population in Britain could reach about 50,000 pairs.
The red kite is undoubtedly a successful case of a being reintroduced in different places with the aim of preventing their extinction. It is one of the main conservation success stories of the last 20 years. England and Scotland became the new homes of this species in 1995 and 1996. That is why one of the best known points to see the red kite is in Gigrin Farm, in the United Kingdom. It the only area where, according to a Welsh Kite Trust report, the bird is increasing its population.
Consider that in 1930, only 2 breeding pairs survived in the British Isles, in central Wales. Today, it is estimated that the population is between 750 to 900 pairs. The success of its reintroduction motivated conservationists to replicate it in places such as Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, Central Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway. In addition, its recovery was due to the fact that the habitat was able to maintain a healthy population. Previously the birds had been exterminated by persecution, poisoning and hunting.
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