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Artificial Feeding & Diet

Feeding in woodlandARTIFICIAL FEEDING.

There are pros and cons to consider when feeding kites. In the Chilterns, there is noconservation reason to provide additional food for the kites as enough natural food

is available, and has been for more than 20 years, to sustain a naturally healthypopulation of kites.

However, it is possible that supplementary feeding 'could' lead to an unsustainable

high population of red kites within the core area. Feeding of red kites has also ledto complaints from people who are not happy having pieces of food dropped intotheir gardens, having the kites swooping low and soiling their windows/cars, etc

simply because their neighbour chooses to feed the kites.

With the above in mind, please take a moment to read the following points:

1. Please remember, the welfare of the bird always comes first.

2. If you do feed, give only small amounts, and infrequently such that the kitedoesn't become used to being fed by you.

3. Provide appropriate food (see below). Do not provide cooked processed foods.

a. Their diet should ideally consist of bones, skin, feathers and fur, of which the kitewill extract the essential nutrients they need. This is especially important during

the nesting season, when kites are taking food back to the nest to feed their chicks.

b. Although primarily scavengers, mammals such as mice, shrews, voles, etc alsoform part of a kites natural diet, as do worms. If you have a cat that hunts, then

give the kites the 'presents' your cat brings to you.

4. Feed in the afternoon as late as possible. This will encourage the Kite to go out

and search for food naturally during the early part of the day.

a. Try to feed only occasionally so that the kite doesn't become used to the foodyour provide.

b. During periods of bad weather (such as the heavy snowfalls experienced during

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the past several winters) then by all means give them a helping hand.

5. Do NOT feed the Kites with dead rats and other mammals that show no signs of

obvious injury which have been found in the open countryside. These mammalsmay have been poisoned.

If you think you have found poisoned bait or victims, do not touch, warn others tostay away, note the exact location and details of any evidence, and cover the items

if possible. The UK Agricultural Departments run a poison hotline on 0800 321600on which suspected incidents of poisoning can be reported. Alternatively, contactyour local Police station, who will then contact the local Wildlife Crime Officer

6. Do not leave chopped up meat lying around outside after the kites have fed.Although your neighbour will not appreciate it, the local rat population will love youand will eagerly visit you on a regular basis.

7. It's probably a good idea to have a friendly word with your neighbour, especially

if you live in a suburban environment. Kites can and do occasionally drop pieces of

food, especially when the other kites try to steal it. These pieces could land in next

doors garden, which may not always be appreciated!

Once again, only feed occasionally, so as it doesn't become a 'habit'.

A Kite will not usually land on the ground to feed, except in the open countryside,when people are not present. They can also sometimes be seen on the road feedingon fresh roadkill. Quite often they will swoop down and take the food in theirtalons.

DIET.

The kite will adapt its diet according to local conditions - it is an opportunisticfeeder and a scavenger - feedling mainly on carrion. They are also known to

frequent landfill sites, and can be seen scavenging together with the gulls. Being an

opportunistic bird, it will also take live prey, such as small mammals and smallbirds, usually the sick weak or injured. Beetles and worms also feature on themenu.

The red kite will feed on large dead mammals but although a large bird, it isn't verystrong. This means that the kite must wait until a much stronger bird has piercedthe carcass with its bill, before it can start feeding.

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An important part of the kites diet in the Chilterns consists of rabbit, although - if itis a large rabbit - they are quite often unable to carry away the whole carcassbecause of their lack of strength. A young rabbit is probably about the heaviest prey

it can carry, although there will occasionally be exceptions to the rule. Needless tosay, your cats, dogs and young children are safe.

The kite is capable of feeding on the wing. They can transfer food from their talonsto bill whilst flying. They will also sit in a tree to feed on larger items perhaps

because the food needs to be torn into smaller pieces, whilst they keep an eye onother kites that may decide to 'ambush' the feeding bird!

The following photos show a red kite with a magpie chick, (I believe had fallen outof the nest in my garden) being attacked by the parents (I only managed to get onemagpie in the shot).