Some birds of prey hover in the air above their hunting grounds to spot prey. Kestrels are perhaps the best-known for hovering and can remain almost motionless in the air, with the slight tweak of a wing or tail to maintain their position. They use oncoming wind to provide them with uplift, meaning they don't have to beat their wings. Kestrels hover above fields and scrub to spot their prey/Credit: Lakes4life, Getty How to identify birds of prey Osprey, Pandion haliaetus Birds of prey are birds that feed on animal flesh. They belong to the raptor family, defined by their talons and a hooked bill, and reside in almost every part of the UK, from the lowlands of Southern England and the coasts of Wales, to the great ridges, mountains and islands of the Scottish Highlands. Why do birds of prey hover?

The causes of change for this species are unclear and hence further research is needed before evidence-based conservation solutions can be proposed. 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 With the classic falcon silhouette, the kestrel has very long pointed wings and a long tail. It adopts a variety of flight styles, including fast pursuit, soaring in circles and hovering. Has a diets of voles and mice. Female kestrels are larger than males/Credit: MyLoupe/UIG, Getty Merlin, Falco columbarius A decline observed during a thirty year (1984-2014) study in south-east Scotland was attributed to changes in land use management in the breeding area ( Heavisides et al. 2017).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 In much of the 20th century, Red kites were heavily persecuted for their eggs and became confined to small parts of Wales. They were reintroduced to the Chilterns, East Midlands, Yorkshire and other parts of northern England throughout the 1990s and are now thriving across virtually all of the UK. For example, in 1990, 13 Red kites were released in the Chilterns, and as of 2020, there are probably some 4,000 breeding pairs. These graceful, imposing raptors are now a common sight over both urban and rural areas. Appearance Closer up, you can see their massive, broad wings have long fingers to them. Their feathers are generally a dark brown, gradually building to a golden brown colour on their heads; from which they get their name.

The Golden eagle eclipses most raptors in terms of sheer size and weight. Golden eagles live in Scotland, primarily in the Highlands and on the Scottish islands, but there are plans to reintroduce them in Wales and Northern Ireland. In 2016, there were an estimated 500 breeding pairs of Golden eagles in Scotland, and their populations are gradually climbing. The most common bird of prey in the UK is the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). It has a wide range and can be found across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The buzzard is easily identified by its large size, broad wingspan and distinctive mewing call. Its diet consists mainly of small mammals such as voles, mice and rabbits. It also feeds on insects, reptiles and carrion when available. The buzzard’s population numbers have been increasing steadily since the 1970s due to conservation efforts. They are now one of the most widespread birds of prey in Britain, with an estimated population of over 500,000. How do I identify birds of prey in flight? The UK is home to over 60 species of birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, falcons and owls. These birds are a vital part of the UK’s natural heritage and play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The RSPB estimates that there are around 1 million individual breeding pairs across Britain. This includes rarer species, such as the red kite and osprey, which have been reintroduced into some areas after becoming extinct in the wild. With careful conservation efforts, these numbers can continue to grow in future years. What is the rarest UK bird of prey? Illegal hunting practices also remain a problem, with some individuals targeting rarer species like peregrine falcons or goshawks for sport or food purposes, even though it is illegal under UK law. There have also been reports of poisoning incidents where certain pesticides have been used illegally on land inhabited by raptors leading to mass mortality events amongst bird populations in recent years too.

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. Courtship rituals vary between species but usually involve aerial displays by both male and female birds. The male may perform dives or circles around the female before landing close to her while calling out loudly. Once bonded, pairs will stay together for life unless one dies or is unable to breed due to injury or illness. Golden eagles mate for life and often hunt cooperatively in pairs. Though they can swoop from great heights at speeds exceeding 150mph, they prefer to hunt from fairly close to the ground, or even from a treetop perch. Some studies suggest that Golden eagles are faster than the Peregrine falcon, which is widely touted to be the world’s fastest bird and animal. Appearance

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. An impressive bird, the Golden eagle hunts medium and large mammals and birds, including rabbits, voles, ptarmigans and sometimes even small or baby deer. Birds of prey, also known as raptors, are a group of predatory birds that have keen eyesight and sharp talons for hunting. In the UK, there are five main types of birds of prey: hawks, eagles, falcons, owls and harriers. Hawks

A buzzard-sized bird of prey with a long tail. The marsh harrier flies with its wings lifted up in an obvious ‘V’ shape, though this can be hard to see from below. Patrolling low over reedbeds, it keeps its head down to scan for prey. Eats small mammals and birds. Marsh harriers drift slowly and buoyantly over reedbeds and marshes before dropping suddenly onto small mammals, frogs and birds./Credit: Getty Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus The conservation status of British birds of prey is a crucial element to consider when observing these species. Understanding their habitats and the threats they face can help us ensure that future generations are able to enjoy them in the wild for years to come. Birds Of Prey FAQs What is the most common bird of prey? 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. 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.