Elanid kite

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Elanid kites | image = Swallowtailedkite.JPG | 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 West.

Species

• 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