The Common Kite is a medium-sized diurnal bird of prey characterized by reddish-brown plumage and a deeply forked tail. Its head is light gray with dark streaks. It feeds primarily on small mammals, birds, and insects, but also on carrion. The Red Kite is a partial migrant, with some populations moving south during the winter. It prefers open habitats such as grasslands and farmland, but is also found near forests and waterways. It nests in trees, building large nests out of twigs. The breeding season runs from spring to early summer, with pairs often reusing the same nest for several years.