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Bird of Prey Attacks Woman for Coffee!
30 Apr
Summary
- Woman attacked by red kite on 21 April.
- Bird reportedly sought woman's coffee drink.
- Red kites are large birds of prey near extinction.
A woman from Charvil, near Reading, reported a startling encounter on 21 April when a red kite attacked her. While walking along a cycle path, the large bird of prey suddenly swooped and scratched her finger, apparently aiming for the coffee she was holding. The bird reportedly remained in the area, unwilling to leave without achieving its goal, until the woman's actions prompted it to fly away.
This incident occurred as she was en route to collect her child from school, causing her to be delayed and left feeling shaken. Red kites, one of Britain's largest birds of prey, were once hunted to near extinction but have seen population increases due to reintroduction efforts. They have a wingspan of up to 195cm and are known for their reddish-brown bodies and forked tails.
Experts advise the public not to feed red kites, as this can encourage bolder behaviour and reduce their natural wariness of humans. While such direct encounters are uncommon, people are encouraged to keep food covered outdoors and observe these birds from a safe distance. The UK now hosts a significant portion of the global red kite population, and overall, they pose minimal risk to the public.
