Elanid kite

Taxobox
name = Elanid kites


image_caption = Swallow-tailed Kite
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Accipitriformes
familia = Accipitridae
subfamilia = Elaninae

An elanid kite, sometimes white-tailed kite, is any of several small, long-winged, hovering raptors. All are specialist rodent hunters and most are members of the genus "Elanus". Some authorities list the group as a formal subfamily, Elaninae.

Elanid kites have a near-worldwide distribution, with three endemic species found in the Americas, two in Australia, one each in Africa and southern Asia, while the Black-winged Kite is found over a vast range from Europe and Africa in the west to South-east Asia in the east.

pecies

* Black-winged Kite, "Elanus caeruleus"
* Black-shouldered Kite, "Elanus axillaris"
* White-tailed Kite, "Elanus leucurus"
* Letter-winged Kite, "Elanus scriptus"
* Scissor-tailed Kite, "Chelictinia riocourii"
* Bat Hawk, "Machaerhamphus alcinus"
* Pearl Kite, "Gampsonyx swainsonii"
* Swallow-tailed Kite, "Elanoides forficatus"