Red kites - Kleptomaniacs of the skies?

03/07/2009 16:38:10 Red kites decorate nests with the weird and wonderful

July 2009. If you've been trawling the shops for boutique chic and pastel colours, you've got it all wrong: football flags, underwear and magazine pages are the latest trends in interior design - At least they are if you're a red kite.

The RSPB has discovered that items in red kite nests are becoming ever more surprising, showing the magnificent bird of prey's penchant for weird and wonderful home decoration.

Among the goodies uncovered by experts are England flags, handbags, magazine pages, tea towels, lottery tickets and socks. And one cheeky red kite had even lined its nest with a par of frilly knickers.

Alissa Cook, RSPB Bird of Prey campaign manager says: "Many of us like to redecorate our homes every now and then and we look for interesting things to make it look nice. It seems red kites are no different and they are quite the homebodies. They will collect anything shiny, bright or eye-catching and use it to line their nests."

Red kites in the UK
Red kites were barely seen in the UK for centuries, as they were shot and poisoned in an attempt to wipe them out. But against the odds, thanks to the longest running bird conservation project in UK history, they have clawed their way back and expanded throughout the UK. The UK population is now estimated at 1,200 breeding pairs.

Where to see red kites
And thousands of people are now getting a good look at red kites and learning about their kleptomaniac tendencies through a series of RSPB projects called ‘A date with nature'.

Red kite viewing sites are all around the UK, including mid-Wales (Gigrin Farm Red kite feeding station), Leeds and South West Scotland. The Date With Nature scheme also includes dates with other birds of prey like peregrine falcons and ospreys and other wildlife.

Red kites decorate their nests just before eggs are laid. Credit Northern Kites Project.

Shakespeare was right
Many red kite nests are monitored and chicks tagged to track the movement of the species. It's these checks that have unearthed the weird and wonderful trophies. Other items discovered include gloves, sponge balls, crisp packets and handkerchiefs.

Shakespeare was one of the first to spot the eclectic home decoration tastes of the red kite, when he warned ‘when the kite builds, look to lesser linen,' in The Winter's Tale (Act 4, scene 3). In his day, washing was left on hedges to dry and red kites took advantage but they appear to have branched out to washing from clothes lines as well as all sorts of other items.

Nests decorated before eggs layed
Adult red kites are real home-birds and both males and females build their nest. Their nests are usually 10-20 metres high and carefully made of dead twigs, lined with sheep's wool and grass.

Just before the female lays the eggs is when the kites decorate their nests with other random items, and they redecorate every time the female lays a clutch. It can become pretty big and colourful, especially if the same nest is used for several seasons.

It is believed that the random items are used purposefully as a form of decoration, perhaps to advertise to other Kites in the area that the nest is in use

Alissa Cook said: "As well as finding it fascinating that red kites are taking off with such an eclectic mix of home decorations, it is extremely heartening that their presence continues to be felt. To think we almost lost these incredible birds of prey is devastating, and more and more people are now seeing them regularly.

"They are quite extraordinary to watch as despite being huge birds, they are very graceful, almost regal. The RSPB is delighted that so many people want to come and see them up close and personal through this scheme and thank goodness we can still show them off."