Which brilliant birds of prey have you seen?
With their strong bills, wide wings and sharp claws, birds of prey are always an impressive sight. England and Wales are home to various species of falcons, kites and hawks — so here are four to look out for. And if you’re a mouse? Run!
Red kiteÂ
You can recognise these birds from their forked tails, which they turn this way and that as they fly through the sky. They have reddish brown bodies, angled wings and a wingspan of up to 170cm.
Kestrel
You might see this small bird of prey hovering over a roadside or clifftop, using its speckled wings to balance in mid-air while it searches for small creatures to pounce on. They weigh roughly the same as a can of tuna.
Sparrowhawk
If you’ve ever seen a bird of prey in a back garden, it was probably a sparrowhawk. They hunt other birds, such as pigeons, and sometimes even bats! They also find prey in woodland. Females can catch birds as big as a pigeon.
Buzzard
This is the most common bird of prey in the UK. It has large, rounded wings and a tail shaped like a fan. Some buzzards are dark brown, while others have much paler feathers. Their call could be mistaken for a cat.
Plan a birdwatching break
A YHA stay gives you doorstep access to the most beautiful landscapes of England and Wales – the perfect spot for birdwatching. Explore summer getaways.
Read next: Five awesome things about hostelling.
Image credits: adobestock / Erni, Volodymyr Kucherenko, Romuald
