Red kites have expanded across England from their Welsh refugium and reintroduction sites and are now a familiar sight in many areas, though persecution and rodenticide poisoning remain threats.
Red kite welfare is threatened by rodenticide poisoning as birds scavenge poisoned rodent carcasses. Individual birds suffer anticoagulant-induced internal bleeding before death. Deliberate poisoning with meat baits placed to kill red kites occurs despite full legal protection. Robust wildlife crime enforcement and rodenticide stewardship are the key welfare interventions.