The red kite (Milvus milvus) is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is a striking bird of prey with deep red plumage, a grey head and light eyes. They are recognisable in flight by their long and narrow, black-tipped wings and deeply forked tail. Primarily a scavenger, the red kite mostly eats carrion but will also catch small mammals, birds and worms. Historically, the kite was associated with towns and cities; here it was valued as a scavenger, helping keep streets clean. Red Kites are neither particularly strong nor aggressive despite being large birds – they are mainly carrion eaters, but are quite capable of killing small mammals and birds.They do hunt on the wing, soaring and circling over open ground. Red Kites have a limited geographical range, which, with the exception of small and isolated populations in NW Africa and West Transcaucasia, is entirely confined to Europe.