Wild Red Kite - Secondary Poisoning Threat

Red kites have made a remarkable comeback in the UK, but secondary poisoning from rodenticides and illegally poisoned bait remains a significant threat to their welfare and conservation.

Key Facts

UK red kite populations have grown from reintroduced pairs in the 1990s to over 4,000 pairs today
Red kites are scavengers that eat carrion, making them highly susceptible to secondary poisoning
Illegal poisoning using bait laced with pesticides remains a persistent threat, particularly in Scotland
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) found in rat poison bioaccumulate in kite livers
SGAR exposure is detectable in the majority of red kites tested in some areas, causing sub-lethal health effects

Welfare Considerations

Red kite welfare is compromised by poisoning in two main ways: illegal direct poisoning using laced baits, and secondary SGAR poisoning from eating rodents or other animals that have ingested rat poison. Illegal poisoning causes rapid death and is a wildlife crime. SGAR poisoning causes internal bleeding that may be sub-lethal but affects health, flight performance, and breeding success. The ban on second-generation rodenticides in certain outdoor settings would significantly reduce kite SGAR exposure. Reporting poisoning incidents to the RSPB's Wildlife Crime Unit is critical for enforcement.

What You Can Do

Avoid using second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in gardens and farmland
Report suspected poisoned birds or illegal baits to the RSPB Wildlife Crime Unit immediately
Support campaigns for tighter regulation of rodenticide use in the countryside
Donate to organizations monitoring red kite health and investigating poisoning incidents