Red Kite tried to carry off Dog (1 Viewer)

[markho]

Has anyone seen the story this week in the Maidenhead Advertiser.
On the actual paper its the Front page story . I just find it hard to believe and think this woman has seriously mistaken the birds movements for something they are not. I've watched Kites in the Chilterns for the last 10 yrs and nevr seen them eat anything other than worms or carrion.
Hope the link works if not go to the Maidenhead advertiser webpage through Google

http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-8591--bird-tried-to-carry-off-my-dog-/

 

[russ1610]

Well whatever did happen I doubt the Red kite could have taken the dog, as wonderfull as they are there wimps Buzzards couldnt do it either I dont think. so what could ???

 

[Quercus]

I was in Reading recently, it was exciting to see them over the Town, but it's hardly surprising these paranoid scare stories will happen.

These will be the same folk that worry about getting bats in their hair

 

[ColonelBlimp]

That story is more like something like out of a horror film than anything! Perhaps an over-excited journalist who'd just watched 'The Birds' is to blame...

 

[dantheman]

Considering she then had to 'fight the bird off with her ball thrower' . . . .hmmm

I suppose an escaped bird-of-prey-centre-bird (ie anything) would be much more likely. Even an Eagle Owl.

 

[markho]

I think she most likely just saw a Kite swoop low for something near her dog then just exaggerated the story. There are also a few people in this area that feed them and they are often visible flying above houses. I 've seen a few swoop low across playing fields and parks picking things up . Also they don't seem to worried about people and if they are being fed would soon become even less shy .

 

[jrwilton]

This woman's story sounds a little over the top to me....

 

[Jack Dawe]

The reported behaviour sounds rather like a bird mobbing an intruder to me. Could it have been that at this time of year? She "thinks" it was a Red Kite, so it could have been anything - literally* - I wouldn't even rule out Herring Gull!!

* Well, OK, probably not a Willow Warbler, but you know what I mean!

 

[Mouldy]

I find it hard to believe a kite would behave like this but I suppose we'll never know for sure.
The bit about the bird then carrying through with the 'attack' and her having to fend it off reminded me of when a friend of mine a few years back came across an escaped red-tailed hawk and it harassed him bigtime, it being hungry and associating him (as a human) with food.
He was new to birding and was terrified, running off saying he'd been attacked by a golden eagle. (we laugh about it now, come to think about it I laughed about it then)
But a hungry escape is another possibility in this case though like I said we'll never know for sure.

 

[salty]

never heard of a red kite or buzzard taking large living prey in the shape or size of a dog......even a escaped bird would find easier prey than a pet dog to catch!

 

[Helen O]

I did a live interview a few months ago on the local BBC radio, about one of these stories doing the rounds. In the case I discussed, the kite was exhibiting normal behaviour (taking an item of clothing to take back to the nest, although in this particular case, it was a lady's favourite blouse!).

I often receive emails and telephone calls from people asking me if kites are capable of taking dogs, cats, grandkids, etc etc...

I have even had one person telling me a red kite was 'circling' above her grandchild lay in her pram!

These stories don't surprise me.

What does happen, quite often, in the Chilterns, is that people tend to think every large bird is automatically a red kite. This is not so.

Kites feed on primarily carrion, however they will and do take live prey, which usually consist of small mammals (mice, voles, and so on), small birds (usually the sick/injured ones). Their diet also consists of worms. Jack Russell dogs running around tend not to be part of their diet, however much people convice themselves they are.

Despite their impressive size, the kite isn't a physically strong bird, their prey size is usually no larger than a small rabbit. They tend to struggle with anything heavier.

I hope to learn a little more about this particular 'story'. I'll keep you posted...

 

[razorsharp]

The reported behaviour sounds rather like a bird mobbing an intruder to me. Could it have been that at this time of year? She "thinks" it was a Red Kite, so it could have been anything - literally* - I wouldn't even rule out Herring Gull!!

* Well, OK, probably not a Willow Warbler, but you know what I mean!

I wouldn't rule out a flippin blue tit!!

 

[Mouldy]

I often receive emails and telephone calls from people asking me if kites are capable of taking dogs, cats, grandkids, etc etc...

I have even had one person telling me a red kite was 'circling' above her grandchild lay in her pram!

These stories don't surprise me.

Round our way the Northern Kites Project has spent a lot of time trying to educate the local populace about kites with them being released so close to populated areas, but if people don’t want to listen there’s not much you can do.
A prime example was the other day, I was talking with a local shop owner in the village about the kites and a woman in the shop piped up saying she was frightened to take her dog for a walk on one of the nearby greens because there were always kites circling overhead. I told her there was nothing to worry about and enquired as to what breed it was.
She said “German shepherd” :eek!:

 

[deborah4]

Reading this, I wondered whether Alan or Helen know of/have witnessed any intruder mobbing behaviour in RK as they expand their territories or round roost sites? I know Herring Gulls do this with dogs (and people!) Jack, I've seen it many a time especially when there are juveniles around. Buzzards certainly do this with people/cyclists and I can think of other birds that mob humans (or can be simply attracted to them out of curiosity such as Nightjar) - ie. humans as intruders/a threat rather than supposed prey items! I guess joe public wouldn't have any idea that birds do this and would over exaggerate such ''attacks'.

 

[westi]

What a load of utter tosh.

She has probably also reported seeing flying saucers over Maidenhead.

Needs to take more water with it methinks!!!

BR
Ian

 

[Mouldy]

Reading this, I wondered whether Alan or Helen know of/have witnessed any intruder mobbing behaviour in RK as they expand their territories or round roost sites? I know Herring Gulls do this with dogs (and people!) Jack, I've seen it many a time especially when there are juveniles around. Buzzards certainly do this with people/cyclists and I can think of other birds that mob humans (or can be simply attracted to them out of curiosity such as Nightjar) - ie. humans as intruders/a threat rather than supposed prey items! I guess joe public wouldn't have any idea that birds do this and would over exaggerate such ''attacks'.

Have seen them be aggressive to airborne intruders at nest sites but don't know of any cases of ground attacks, though one did c**p on me from a great height once. (and they say it's supposed to be lucky :h?: )

 

[seawatcher]

Fearless

[
http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-8591--bird-tried-to-carry-off-my-dog-/[/QUOTE]

"Fearing Lola would be carried off and eaten alive, and thinking nothing of her own safety.....".

Blimey! That sure is one brave lass. Deserves a Queen's bravery medal, if you ask me.

 

[Helen O]

Unfortunately, being close to kites on a daily basis, means getting crapped on regularly, sometimes at close quarters! So, if that is supposed to be lucky, I must be the luckiest person ever to walk this earth...

The worse crapped-on episode to date, was when one of them hit the bulls eye. All down my glasses and cheeks. Just imagine 14 of them, all crapping to their hearts content, in a holding pen. Deary me.

But I digress...

For obvious reasons Red Kites will not tolerate other raptors in their immediate nesting area. However, they are generally tolerant of other raptors away from the nest, with only the occasional 'tussle' taking place.

Additionally, kites are not territorial, except for their immediate nesting area during the breeding season.

Deborah, no, this 'mobbing' behaviour you suggest is not typical of kite behaviour. Even when work is taking place at the active nest (collecting chicks, for example) the adults usually just circle slowly in the immediate vicinity, keeping a close eye on what is going on.

Interestingly, I did have to visit an elderly couple, who found themselves staring at a red kite on their rug infront of the fire in their bungalow! I have a photo of the lady carrying out the kite, but for reasons of privacy I didn't post it. (On that occasion, it was the dog trying to chase the kite!). http://www.redkites.net/section72528_14982.html

 

[Ranger James]

Its also impressive that a 60 year old woman can recognise that a bird is in a collision-course dive for her pooch and manage to rush between the 35-40mph kite and the 20-25mph dog. Sounds like she would give Usain Bolt a run for his money!

James

 

[Barred Wobbler]

I was in Newcastle this morning and I was most impressed to see a bus used for the Rowlands Gill route.

It had the words "The Red Kite" emblazoned on its back and sides. The entire back of the bus was taken up with the frontal view of a kite's face (gives a new slant on the phrase "having a face like the back end of a bus") and the side of the bus had a large picture of a kite in flight spread upwards from the body, across the windows.

Very impressive.

Unfortunately it was pulling away from a stop at the time and by the time I thought of getting my pocket camera out the moment, and the bus, had gone.

Good publicity. Well done the Northern Kite project and the bus company.