PIERA BERETTA

Another bird of prey we can frequently hear and see from our garden are red kites (Milvus milvus). They are the third-largest birds of prey in Switzerland and can often be heard calling when they circle above. Their forked tail and reddish-brown coulouring are very distinct.

Unlike in other European countries, where red kites are in decline, they very successful in Switzerland. They have adapted well to humans; we can often see them following tractors that are ploughing fields and even keeping a keen eye on gardeners digging up soil and unearthing their prey.