Elaninae Elaninae

Elaninae - Definition and Overview

'Elanid kites'
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily: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.

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