Red Kites and cool tricks

There I was, minding my own business, taking Naughty George for his daily perambulation up Forest Hill, when I suddenly had a horrible feeling that I was about to be on the receiving end of an aerial attack.

As I looked up, I saw not one, but four Red Kites circling overhead looking hungry.

 

Vid.No.1 Four Red Kites circling

"Blimey," I thought, "they're a rare species, I shall capture them on my trusty iPhone video." And so I did. 

Now here are some interesting facts about Red Kites (Latin name Milvus Milvus, which sounds a bit comical). Firstly, they were extinct in England until they were reintroduced in the 1990s. 

I am not sure why they were reintroduced, because they don't really do that much. They hover a lot, and partake in a bit of dive-bombing but that's about it really. I suspect it is because they look a bit like eagles, except smaller (they have a wing span of 175cm), and not as cool.

Pic.No.1. A close up of a Red Kite. I didn't take this picture, obviously

'So what else do you know about Red Kites?' I hear you cry. 

Well ......... they eat small mammals, which is why I have taken to walking Naughty George in their natural habitat. They also like eating carrion which is why Oxfordshire is perfect. Being mainly countryside, the roads are awash with roadkill.... so much so, that I invented a new word - 'danimal' - to make conversation more expeditious. Oh yeh, Oxfordshire is one big 'Red Kite Delicatessen' ..... with dead bunny hors d'oeuvres in abundance.

Actually, Red Kites do have one particularly cool trick; At signs of danger a mother will signal the young who will "play dead" to the extent that a fox will believe them to be dead and leave them, thinking it can return to eat them later. 

But would you believe it? I have also taught Naughty George an almost identical trick - I pull out a toy gun, point it at him and shout 'BANG', and he fallls over like he is dead. It can often take old ladies aback, so I have to pick my moments.  

Anyway, that's enough from me. Hope you enjoy the footage of my pack of birds...... I have a friend coming for the weekend, so I need to go and make up her room.