Successful breeding at one year of age by Red Kites Milvus milvus in southern England

Abstract

This paper presents the first data on individually tagged male and female Red Kites Milvus milvus breeding at 1 year old and is validated by genetic fingerprinting. The data were collected during 1989 to 1994 when Red Kite nestlings were translocated to, and released in, southern England as part of a re‐establishment project. A total of 23 1‐year‐old Red Kites attempted to breed in southern England from 1991 to 1994, of which three pairs, each composed of at least one yearling bird, reared five young. We conclude that habitat quality is ultimately the main influence that determines whether Red Kites can breed and how well they breed. However, individual experience, climate and competition with other Red Kites for nesting territories probably influence the age at which an individual can breed in a particular habitat.