Kites are raptors with long wings and weak legs which spend a great deal of time soaring. In general they will take live prey but mostly feed on carrion.
They are birds of prey which along with hawks, eagles, Old World vultures and many others are in the family Accipitridae.
Together with less closely related groups such as New World vultures and Osprey, they make up the diurnal bird of prey order Accipitriformes.
Species include
Subfamily Milvinae (Latin Milvus a kite)
- Genus Milvus. The typical large forked-tailed kites of Eurasia.
Subfamily Elaninae (Greek Elanos a kite)
- Genus Elanus. A group of small grey and white kites with black shoulders.
