Kite Bird: Habitat, Diet, Behavior,+ other Interesting Facts

The kite bird is a graceful bird of prey known for its long wings, forked tail, and effortless soaring flight. Belonging to the family Accipitridae, kites are raptors that glide and hover with remarkable agility, often seen circling high above open landscapes or near water bodies. These medium-sized birds captivate birdwatchers with their buoyant flight and opportunistic feeding habits.

Kites inhabit diverse regions worldwide, from wetlands and savannas to urban areas, and play key roles in ecosystems as scavengers and hunters of small prey.

Kite Bird Meaning and Etymology

The name “kite” derives from Old English cȳta, an onomatopoeic term mimicking the call notes of birds like the red kite or buzzard. It originally referred to soaring or gliding raptors, later specifically applied to species like the red kite. The term evokes their hovering, kite-like flight—much like the toy kite that “flies” by catching the wind.

What Is a Kite Bird?

Kites are birds of prey in the family Accipitridae, primarily in subfamilies like Milvinae, Elaninae, and Perninae. They feature lightly built bodies, small heads, short beaks, long narrow wings, and often forked tails for precise maneuvering.

Kites differ from hawks (more robust, woodland hunters) and eagles (larger, powerful predators with stronger builds and less forked tails). Kites emphasize gliding, scavenging, and opportunistic hunting over direct, powerful strikes.

Is a kite bird an eagle? No—while both are raptors in Accipitridae, eagles are generally larger, with bigger heads, stronger beaks/talons, and broader wings for soaring at height. Kites are slimmer, more agile fliers focused on low-level gliding or hovering.

Kite bird vs eagle: Eagles hunt larger prey actively; kites scavenge more and snatch smaller items mid-flight. Eagles lack deeply forked tails common in many kites.

Which bird is called a kite? Species with “kite” in common names, like black kite, red kite, or swallow-tailed kite, are true kites. The name applies to various genera, not a single taxonomic group.

What is a kite bird in the Bible? The kite (ayyah in Hebrew) appears in Leviticus 11:14 and Deuteronomy 14:13 as an unclean bird forbidden for Israelites to eat. It likely refers to the red kite or similar keen-sighted raptor, grouped with vultures and falcons as detestable due to carrion-eating habits.

Kite Bird Size

Kite sizes vary by species, typically medium raptors.

• Small: White-tailed Kite (~35–43 cm length, wingspan 88–102 cm, weight 250–380 g).
• Medium: Black Kite (~50–60 cm, wingspan up to 140 cm).
• Larger: Swallow-tailed Kite (50–68 cm, wingspan 1.12–1.36 m).

Most are crow- to hawk-sized, lighter and more slender than eagles.

Species of Kite Birds

Here are prominent species:

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Medium-sized, dark brown with forked tail. Opportunistic scavenger/hunter. Habitat: Open areas, wetlands, cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia. Diet: Carrion, small mammals, insects, fish. Often near human settlements.

Red Kite (Milvus milvus)

Striking rufous body, deeply forked tail, pale head. Scavenger/predator. Habitat: Woodlands, pastures, urban edges in Europe (reintroduced in UK). Diet: Carrion, small mammals, worms. Known for graceful soaring.

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)

Chestnut body, white head/breast. Coastal/inland wetlands in Asia, Australia. Diet: Dead fish, crabs, insects. Often near water.

Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)

Black-and-white, deeply forked tail. Graceful aerial hunter. Habitat: Wooded wetlands in southeastern US to South America. Diet: Insects (dragonflies), reptiles, frogs plucked mid-air.

White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)

Gull-like white body, black shoulders, hovering flight. Habitat: Grasslands, savannas in Americas. Diet: Small mammals (voles), insects.

Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius)

Similar to black kite but yellow bill. Sub-Saharan Africa. Habitat: Varied, including savannas. Diet: Insects, small vertebrates, carrion.

Habitat & Distribution

Kites live worldwide in warm regions: Africa (common in wetlands, savannas), Europe (red kite in woodlands), Asia/Australia (Brahminy), Americas (swallow-tailed in wetlands). Many associate with water for fish/carrion.

In Africa, see them in parks, lakes, wetlands (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania for black/yellow-billed kites).

Diet & Hunting Behavior

Kites eat varied diets: small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fish, carrion. Many scavenge (black kite near dumps/fires) or snatch prey mid-flight (swallow-tailed on dragonflies). Flight: Soaring/gliding, hovering (“kiting”) to spot prey.

Breeding & Nesting

Kites build stick platform nests in trees. Clutch: 2–4 eggs. Both parents incubate/feed young. Breeding seasons vary (e.g., spring/summer in north).

Kite bird baby / juvenile / fledgling — Juveniles often streaked/brownish (e.g., Mississippi kite barred tail). Fledge after 4–6 weeks; parents feed post-fledging. Young practice flight, dependent initially.

Kite Bird Sound

Calls vary: High-pitched whistles, shrill “klee-klee” (swallow-tailed), two-syllable descending notes (Mississippi), or piercing cries. Red kite has whistling calls; black kite harsher.

Interesting Facts

• Many stay airborne hours without flapping.
• Intelligent scavengers; some follow fires for fleeing prey.
• Some migrate thousands of km.
• Often near humans due to easy food.

Conservation Status

Most Least Concern (IUCN), but face habitat loss, poisoning. Red kite recovered via reintroduction; others benefit from protected areas.

Where to See Kite Birds in Africa

Abundant in East Africa: National parks (e.g., Serengeti, Maasai Mara), lakes (Victoria), wetlands. Black/yellow-billed kites common near settlements, scavenging.

FAQs  about a Kite Bird

Is a kite bird a hawk? No—kites are distinct, more aerial/scavenging than typical hawks.

Are kite birds dangerous to humans? No—avoid nesting areas (defensive), but harmless otherwise.

What is the difference between a kite and an eagle? Kites slimmer, forked tails, scavenge/hover; eagles larger, powerful hunters.

Where can you see kite birds in the wild? Wetlands, open country globally; Africa abundant.

Do kite birds migrate? Yes—many (e.g., European black kites to Africa).