Red kites have recovered spectacularly from reintroduction since 1989, but supplementary feeding at dedicated sites raises welfare questions about dependency and habituation to human presence.
Supplementary feeding for red kites creates welfare considerations that differ from those at garden bird feeding stations primarily because of the scale of concentration, the age of the birds involved, and the contamination risks. Lead shot in carcasses and offal used as supplementary feed causes lead poisoning in kites - a welfare harm that is fully preventable by ensuring only lead-free food is provided. Feeding stations operated with lead-free food, appropriate nutrition, and managed to prevent overcrowding provide welfare benefits by supplementing winter food resources. The population recovery of red kites demonstrates that large-scale wildlife reintroduction works, but ongoing welfare stewardship is needed to maintain the health of the recovered population.