Bird of Prey Silhouettes 17/18/25 cm, Pack of 3 - to Stick on Glass So Birds Don't Fly Against Your Windows

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The rarest UK bird of prey is the Red Kite (Milvus milvus). It was once widespread throughout Britain, but by the early 20th century, it had become extinct in England and Wales. In 1989, a reintroduction program began in England and Wales with birds from Spain and Sweden. The population has since grown to over 1,000 pairs across both countries. Red Kites are now a common sight in many parts of the UK, although they remain scarce compared to other species of raptors. They have distinctive forked tails and red-brown plumage, which makes them easy to identify when soaring above woodlands or open fields. Conclusion Red kites are the UK’s largest common birds of prey, with an impressive wingspan of 175 to 185cm. Famed for their graceful hovering flight and playful and gregarious nature, Red kites are a conservation success story. Sparrowhawks are adapted to hunting in woodland, taking birds from blue tits to pigeons and everything in between. The females are much bigger than males, which effectively creates two different hunters in their area. Sparrowhawks have short, blunted wings with their primary feathers creating 'fingers.' These short wings allow them to fly between trees and small spaces at speed. Their tails are long and squared at the ends, giving them the skill and agility to manouvre tight corners.

British birds of prey are found across the UK, with many species inhabiting a variety of habitats. These include woodlands, moorland, grasslands and wetlands. The most common type of habitat for these birds is open countryside or farmland where they can hunt easily. Some species prefer to live in more urban areas, such as parks and gardens, while others may inhabit mountainous regions or coastal cliffs. Let’s take a closer look at these preferred habitats below. Woodland The sparrowhawk has an extremely long tail and broad wings with long feathered wingtips like ‘fingers’. It hunts mainly at hedge-height, but also circles high in the sky. Female is much larger than male. Eats small birds. Sparrowhawks breed between May and July/Credit: Siebe Wiersma, Getty Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus If you go for a walk in the countryside, the chances are you'll see a bird of prey either hovering up in the sky or perched within a tree canopy, but it can often be difficult to determine which species you're looking at.Most readily identified by their characteristic hovering flight while hunting. They are able to hold their head immobile while adjusting their wings and tail to air currents, sometimes beating their wings rapidly to remain in place. This special skill earned them the colloquial name 'windhover'. Size Sparrowhawks were almost extinct in the UK after centuries of persecution and pesticides which caused their eggs to break before they could hatch. After sucessful conservation efforts, these birds are thriving now, and there could be as many as 40,000 pairs breeding in Britain. Small but deadly, the Sparrowhawk is a small to medium-sized bird of prey from the Accipiter family. The female is as much as 25% bigger than the male - the size difference is so significant that females have a more diverse diet than males as they’re able to catch a wider range of prey. Britain’s commonest bird of prey, the buzzard is the species most often seen soaring. It wheels about in the air on broad wings, with its tail fanned out and wingtip feathers widely splayed. Eats birds, mammals and carrion. Buzzards are the commonest and most widespread birds of prey in the UK/Credit: Mike Lane, Getty Honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus

Red kites are exceptionally large birds, measuring some 60 to 70cm on average with a wingspan of 175 to 185cm, and have a reddish-brown body and broad, white-tipped wings and large forked tail. Fortunately, there have been successful reintroduction programmes since then, which have helped increase their numbers significantly. The same can be said for other species, such as the white-tailed eagle, which was declared extinct in England in 1918 but has since seen a resurgence thanks to reintroduction projects across Europe. By understanding the diet and hunting techniques of British birds of prey, we can gain a greater appreciation for their unique behaviours and adaptations in the wild. Breeding Habits The diet of British birds of prey is mainly composed of small mammals such as voles and mice, but they will also eat reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects. Some larger species may even take rabbits or hares if the opportunity arises. Birds typically hunt during daylight hours when their keen eyesight gives them an advantage over their prey.

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Sparrowhawk numbers crashed during the late 20th century, mainly due to poisoning from organochlorine pesticides. Their numbers have increased dramatically, and they’re found all throughout the UK except the Scottish Highlands, but recent surveys have shown that Sparrowhawk populations are starting to fall again. For conservationists, boosting the Sparrowhawk population is a risky endeavour as they’re very efficient at hunting and killing small birds and negatively impact songbird populations. Appearance The Golden Eagle. There's no mistaking this bird, down to its sheer size. As a naturalist once said; 'if you're in two minds as to whether it's a buzzard or an eagle, then it's a buzzard.' You just know when you've seen an eagle. Moorland is another popular habitat for these birds due to its wide open spaces that allow them to spot potential prey from high up in the sky when soaring above it, looking out for movement below them on the ground. Birds like hen harriers, merlins and peregrine falcons often hunt over moorland, but some will also nest here too if there’s enough cover provided by heather plants or shrubs growing amongst it. Grassland From the iconic golden eagle to the tiny merlin, these birds have been a part of our landscape for centuries and continue to be an important part of our natural heritage. With their impressive hunting techniques, varied diet and diverse habitats, British birds of prey provide us with a fascinating insight into wildlife conservation. Although many species face threats from human activities such as habitat destruction and illegal hunting, there is still much that can be done to protect them. By understanding more about these amazing animals and taking steps to conserve their populations, we can ensure that future generations will also get to enjoy watching these birds soaring through our skies. Additional Resources