View allAll Photos Tagged kiting
A white (Leucistic) Red Kite at Gigrin Farm, Wales
Around 1% of all kites in Wales show some leucistic tendencies - meaning their colouration is mainly pure white and not the usual reds & blacks of a 'normal' kite.
Leucism differs from albinism in that pigment is not entirely absent - in most cases it is at least retained in the eyes. By contrast, albino means the lack of colouring and is evidenced by pink eyes.
Although leucistic kites can sometimes attract the unwanted attentions of other red kites and corvids who harangue the white birds, this one seemed quite at home amongst the other birds at Gigrin.
Red Kite at the Marlborough downs Wiltshire.
Had a fantastic day at David Whites superb hide on the Downs.
Over 30 Red Kites came to the hide.
To book an incredible days photography go to www.davidwhitewildlife.co.uk/birds-of-prey-hide
More aerial loveliness in Bristol this weekend with the International Kite Festival moving to a new location, Durdham Down.
Sicily - Macari
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This Kite Surfer was enjoying sometime on the bay near Pensacola Beach as the winds were blowing Sunday afternoon 1/30/22.
Or... what results from an overexposition.
Not bad, if you don't have time to change the parameters at once!
I have so much to learn...
Red Kites sharing a thermal. A bit close for comfort !!
Once considered a threat to game birds and domestic animals like cats and dogs, the red kite was hunted close to extinction in the UK. Now a protected species – and following several reintroduction attempts, the number of red kites has recovered, and they can be spotted in lots of places across the UK. Rather than purely hunting for food, red kites are in fact largely scavengers, so mainly like to eat scraps and small prey like rabbits.
This magnificently graceful bird of prey is unmistakable with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. It was saved from national extinction by one of the world's longest-running protection programmes. It has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland.
In late June I had my 2nd outing to photograph the wild Foxes.
It was very hot and humid weather and there was concern that they might not show up.
The Foxes were finding the heat a bit much and preferred to stay in the shaded wooded area.
However the Red Kites were enjoying the clear blue skies and the thermals as they wheeled over the field performing the bird version of aerobatics.
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Red Kite
Irish Name:
Cúr Rua / Préachán na gCearc
Scientific name:
Milvus milvus
Bird Family:
Raptors
red
Conservation status
Status
A resident, reintroduced population is slowly expanding from its core range in Cos. Wicklow, Dublin and Down.
Identification
An elegant, graceful bird of prey, larger than a Buzzard, with long wings and a long distinctly forked tail. The body is reddish-brown with dark streaking, the head is greyish and the tail, which is often twisted continually in flight, is orange-red. Viewed from below, the black, fingered wingtips and contrasting white patch on the outer flight feathers stand out. As with most birds of prey, the female is larger than the male. Juveniles look somewhat duller than adults, with less distinct streaking and a thin white line on the upperwing. Many of the Red Kites seen in Ireland bear coloured plastic identification tags on their wings.
Voice
A shrill, mewing 'peee-ooow'.
Diet
Mainly eats carrion, including roadkill, preferring to scavenge rather than hunt. They will happily take live prey if necessary, however, including rats, mice, rabbits pigeons, young crows and even earthworms and other invertebrates.
Breeding
Breeding is currently still confined to the east coast, close to the original reintroduction sites in Cos. Wicklow, Dublin and Down. The nest consists of a large platform of twigs, usually constructed high above the ground in the fork of a deciduous tree branch. Red Kites have the curious habit of decorating their nests with scavenged human items, especially plastic bags, items of clothing (especially underwear!) and even children's toys. 1 to 3 eggs are incubated, mainly by the female, for around 31 days, and the chicks are cared for by both parents.
Wintering
Resident throughout its range. Likes to gather in winter roosting flocks, the largest and best-known of which is close to the village of Avoca in Co. Wicklow, a very reliable site for this species.
Monitored by
Countryside Bird Survey.
This kite has never been flown, but adds beauty to our three-season porch. We will find a place for it in our apartment when we move.
Kite surfing on San Francisco Bay.
The container ships that come into the bay are massive (so are the cruise ships) - looked to me like a scary proposition to be out there on a little board being pulled by a kite!
Your comments and faves are greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Black Kite
Scientific Name: Milvus migrans
Description: The Black Kite is a medium-sized raptor (bird of prey). From a distance, it appears almost black, with a light brown bar on the shoulder. The plumage is actually dark brown, with scattered light brown and rufous markings, particularly on the head, neck and underparts. The tail is forked and barred with darker brown. This feature gives the bird its alternative name of Fork-tailed Kite. The eye is dark brown and the bill is black with a yellow cere (area of skin around the nostrils). Both sexes are similar. Young Black Kites are generally lighter in colour than the adults, and have a comparatively shallower forked tail.
Similar species: The Black Kite's plumage is similar to other raptors (birds of prey), such as the Little Eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides, Whistling Kite,Haliastur sphenurus, and Square-tailed Kite, Lophoictinia isura. In flight, however, its long forked tail and almost unmarked underwing make it unmistakable.
Distribution: The Black Kite's range covers the majority of the Australian mainland, as well as Africa, Asia and Europe. The Black Kite is arguably the most numerous species of raptor in the world.
Habitat: The Black Kite is found in a variety of habitats, from timbered watercourses to open plains, and is often observed in and around outback towns. Although it is more normally seen in small groups, the Black Kite may form huge flocks of many thousands of birds, especially during grasshopper plagues. No other Australian bird of prey is seen in such large flocks.
Feeding: The Black Kite preys on lizards, small mammals and insects, especially grasshoppers. It also is a scavenger, and frequents tips in outback towns. Black Kites also gather in flocks around bush fires, and eagerly pounce on small animals as these flee the flames. Both live and dead (carrion) prey is eaten.
Breeding: Black Kites nest in isolated pairs or in small, scattered colonies. As with other raptors, a ritualised aerial courtship display is performed by both sexes. This involves loud calling, grappling of feet (talons), and tumbling or cartwheeling. The nest is a bulky cup of sticks, lined with softer material, and is placed in the fork of a tree branch (generally close to the trunk). The female incubates the eggs while the male provides food.
Calls: The call is a descending whistle "psee-err" followed by a staccato "si-si-si-si-si".
Maximum Size: 55cm
Average size: 51cm
Average weight: 540g
Breeding season: Usually August and November; can breed at any time
Clutch Size: One to three.
Incubation: 28 days
Nestling Period: 40 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2020
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Black Kite
Scientific Name: Milvus migrans
Description: The Black Kite is a medium-sized raptor (bird of prey). From a distance, it appears almost black, with a light brown bar on the shoulder. The plumage is actually dark brown, with scattered light brown and rufous markings, particularly on the head, neck and underparts. The tail is forked and barred with darker brown. This feature gives the bird its alternative name of Fork-tailed Kite. The eye is dark brown and the bill is black with a yellow cere (area of skin around the nostrils). Both sexes are similar. Young Black Kites are generally lighter in colour than the adults, and have a comparatively shallower forked tail.
Similar species: The Black Kite's plumage is similar to other raptors (birds of prey), such as the Little Eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides, Whistling Kite,Haliastur sphenurus, and Square-tailed Kite, Lophoictinia isura. In flight, however, its long forked tail and almost unmarked underwing make it unmistakable.
Distribution: The Black Kite's range covers the majority of the Australian mainland, as well as Africa, Asia and Europe. The Black Kite is arguably the most numerous species of raptor in the world.
Habitat: The Black Kite is found in a variety of habitats, from timbered watercourses to open plains, and is often observed in and around outback towns. Although it is more normally seen in small groups, the Black Kite may form huge flocks of many thousands of birds, especially during grasshopper plagues. No other Australian bird of prey is seen in such large flocks.
Feeding: The Black Kite preys on lizards, small mammals and insects, especially grasshoppers. It also is a scavenger, and frequents tips in outback towns. Black Kites also gather in flocks around bush fires, and eagerly pounce on small animals as these flee the flames. Both live and dead (carrion) prey is eaten.
Breeding: Black Kites nest in isolated pairs or in small, scattered colonies. As with other raptors, a ritualised aerial courtship display is performed by both sexes. This involves loud calling, grappling of feet (talons), and tumbling or cartwheeling. The nest is a bulky cup of sticks, lined with softer material, and is placed in the fork of a tree branch (generally close to the trunk). The female incubates the eggs while the male provides food.
Calls: The call is a descending whistle "psee-err" followed by a staccato "si-si-si-si-si".
Maximum Size: 55cm
Average size: 51cm
Average weight: 540g
Breeding season: Usually August and November; can breed at any time
Clutch Size: One to three.
Incubation: 28 days
Nestling Period: 40 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
__________________________________________
© Chris Burns 2019
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
The Berkeley Marina with it's strong breezes and spectacular views is a favorite place to fly kites. Winnie and I were just leaving on my bike when I saw this guy silhouetted against the setting sun.
Kite surfing over at Whitstable today. Walked right out onto the sand bank as the tide went out,was really lucky to get these shots
This snail kite was photographed perched on a fence post close to a lake in Osceola County near Kenansville, Florida.
Prints, and many other Items, are available with this image on my website at www.tom-claud.pixels.com.
Like and follow me on facebook and Instagram at www.facebook.com/thomasclaudphotography and www.instagram.com/thomasclaudphotography.
My photos are copyright protected with all rights reserved.
Black Kite
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Not a bird that we generally associate with rolling over in a stoop to hunt.
This was one of several that were playing games It must have decided to drop in on its friend below.
A snail kite displays its entire wing span while making a fencepost landing close to a lake in Osceola County near Kenansville, Florida.
Prints, and many other Items, are available with this image on my website at www.tom-claud.pixels.com.
Like and follow me on facebook and Instagram at www.facebook.com/thomasclaudphotography and www.instagram.com/thomasclaudphotography.
My photos are copyright protected with all rights reserved.