Kite (bird) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kites
Black kite
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Accipitriformes
Family:	Accipitridae
Genera
Milvinae Harpagus Ictinia Rostrhamus Helicolestes Haliastur Milvus Lophoictinia Hamirostra Elaninae Elanus Chelictinia Machaerhamphus Gampsonyx Elanoides

Kites are amazing birds of prey! They belong to a bird family called Accipitridae. You can find them in groups like Milvinae, Elaninae, and Perninae.

Like hawks and eagles, kites are also raptors. They have long, strong wings and usually weaker legs. Kites love to spend their time soaring high up in the air. Most kites eat carrion (animals that are already dead), but some also hunt live prey.

In ancient Egyptian stories, the goddess Isis sometimes turned into a kite. She did this to help bring the dead back to life.

Types of Kites

Kites are divided into different groups, or subfamilies. Here are some of the main types:

Elaninae Kites

These kites are often known for their amazing hovering skills. They can stay almost still in the air while looking for food.

Elanus Genus

• Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
• Black-shouldered kite, Elanus axillaris
• White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus
• Letter-winged kite, Elanus scriptus

Other Elaninae Kites

• Scissor-tailed kite, Chelictinia riocourii
• Bat hawk, Machaerhamphus alcinus
• Pearl kite, Gampsonyx swainsonii
• Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus

Milvinae Kites

These kites are often called "soaring kites" because they spend a lot of time gliding high in the sky.

Harpagus Genus

• Double-toothed kite, Harpagus bidentatus
• Rufous-thighed kite, Harpagus diodon

Ictinia Genus

• Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
• Plumbeous kite, Ictinia plumbea

Rostrhamus Genus

• Snail kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis

Helicolestes Genus

• Slender-billed kite, Helicolestes hamatus (This one used to be in the Rostrhamus group!)

Haliastur Genus

• Whistling kite, Haliastur sphenurus
• Brahminy kite, Haliastur indus

Milvus Genus

• Red kite, Milvus milvus
  • Cape Verde kite, Milvus (milvus) fasciicauda - Sadly, this type is now extinct (it disappeared around 2000).
• Black kite, Milvus migrans
• Black-eared kite, Milvus (migrans) lineatus
• Yellow-billed Kite, Milvus (migrans) aegyptius

Other Milvinae Kites

• Square-tailed kite, Lophoictinia isura
• Black-breasted buzzard, Hamirostra melanosternon

Perninae Kites

A few birds in the Perninae group are also called kites.

• Grey-headed kite, Leptodon cayanensis
• White-collared kite, Leptodon forbesi
• Hook-billed kite, Chondrohierax uncinatus

Images for kids

• 

  A Black kite soaring high in the sky.

See also

In Spanish: Milano para niños