The Red Kite (Barcud Coch) is considered to be the national bird of Wales.
The Red Kite is graceful bird, elegant in flight and easily distinguished by its forked tail, pale grey head, russet coloured body, white underwing patches and black wing tips. They were was once a common sight in the towns of medieval Britain, encouraged as scavengers who cleared the streets of carrion and discarded meat that otherwise would attract rats. In Wales it is also known as 'Boda Wennol' (Swallow Buzzard) or 'Boda Chwiw' (whistling kite) in reference to its distinctive call.
However, during the 18th and 19th centuries, its predation on game birds and domestic fowl led to it falling out of favour and being hunted to near extinction in Britain. Its rarity also made it a target for egg collectors and by the end of the nineteenth century, there were only approximately 10 surviving pairs, all in Cothi and Tywi valleys of Wales.
There followed a concerted conservation effort, firstly by a small band of volunteers and later with the help of the RSPB, numbers began to increase. The Welsh Kite Trust was set up in 1996 to consolidate this success and subsequently there are now an estimated 1,000 breeding pairs in Wales. Among the best sites to watch the Red Kite are at Gigrin Farm near Rhayader, at Llanddeusant in the Brecon Beacons and the Bwlch Nant yr Arian forest visitor centre in Ceredigion.
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