Rare white red kites spotted

The white red kite has a much lighter plumage than its peers

Two rare white red kites have been spotted at a forestry visitor centre in mid Wales.

The pair, understood to be one of only 10 in Wales, are not true albinos but much paler examples of the distinctive breed of birds.

However, they differ significantly in appearance to their darker peers.

For the past few weeks both of the birds have visited the Nant-yr-Arian centre, near Aberystwyth, for food.

They have a beautiful light, almost white plumage Lesley Cowhig, RSPB Cymru

About 30 kites swoop and dive over a lake before descending for something to eat at the centre's feeding station.

Lesley Cowhig, of RSPB Cymru, said: "White Red Kites are not true albinos but much paler forms of the more familiar Red Kites.

"They have a beautiful light, almost white plumage.

"These unusually pale kites carry a special gene that can be found in other wild bird populations.

"This white gene is a characteristic feature of the Welsh kite population and about one in every 100 Welsh Red Kites hatched is much paler than normal.

"These kites often continue to get paler as they grow and at a glance some can appear to be all white."

According to the Welsh Kite Trust, based in Llandrindod Wells, there are up to 500 breeding pairs of red kites in Wales.

About 30 Red Kites feed at Nant-yr-Arian daily

Just one chick in every 100 is hatched white.

But the RSPB said there was not a single recorded case of a white red kite breeding successfully, which could mean that the gene could be linked to infertility.

In the early 1900s only a few pairs of the elusive scavenger, which has a distinctive forked tail, remained in Wales.

However, increased protection has seen the bird become one of Wales' most successful conservation stories.

One of the most distinctive habits of the bird is its nest building.

The red kite will use just about anything from sheep's wool and plastic bags to teddy bears and even underwear - all of which has been spotted in some nests.

On 29 August the RSPB and the Forestry Commission will host a Red Kite family fun day at Nant-yr-Arian.