A crimson kite was recognized because the oldest to outlive within the wild in Britain and Eire earlier than being put down.
The 26-year-old hen was noticed by a member of the general public in Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire in July in a poor situation and unable to fly.
An examination of the ring on the hen’s leg discovered it was 9,518 days outdated, having been ringed as a nestling in June 1997.
RSPCA wildlife officer Ellie West mentioned: “This was such a good looking hen – and I might inform that it was an grownup and of age.
“There have been no avian influenza signs however I used to be instantly involved about its skinny physique situation and poor plumage.
“Sadly, because of the extent of the kite’s situation, it meant that the hen couldn’t be helped and was put to sleep to forestall additional struggling.
“The hen wasn’t in a position to totally prolong its wings at carpal joints and was displaying indicators of bumblefoot together with different issues, that means sadly rehabilitation wasn’t an possibility.”
The British Belief for Ornithology confirmed the hen had been ringed as a nestling on June 20 1997 and mentioned it was the oldest crimson kite identified to them.
“I couldn’t imagine it as this hen was 26 years outdated – and was present in just about the identical space they have been ringed in all these years in the past,” Ms West mentioned.“It is vitally unhappy that the hen didn’t make it however at the least they didn’t undergo a lingering dying.“I’m positive that they had a full life and it might be beautiful to assume that it might have reared a number of offspring over time within the space too – though the intercourse is unknown.”
Lee Barber, from the British Belief for Ornithology, added: “This crimson kite now holds the longevity document for the oldest identified wild crimson kite in Britain and Eire.
“Amazingly, that is the primary and solely report of this hen in 26 years and 22 days because it was ringed as a nestling again in 1997.
“It’s good when individuals take the time to report ringed birds, because it helps us to achieve a higher understanding of hen populations throughout the UK.
“Had this hen not been sporting a hoop we’d haven’t any indication in any respect that it had turn out to be the oldest identified of its species, as as soon as crimson kites have moulted out of their immature plumage, they give the impression of being just about similar no matter age.”