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Elaninae
An elanine kite is any of several small, lightly-built raptors with long, pointed wings. Some authorities list the group as a formal subfamily, Elaninae. As a subfamily there are six species in three genera with two of these genera being monotypic. Two other species have at times been included with the group, but genetic research has shown them to belong to different subfamilies. Elanine kites have a near-worldwide distribution, with two endemic species found in the Americas, two in Australia, and one in Africa, while the black-winged kite is found over a vast range from Europe and Africa in the west to Southeast Asia in the east. Species Current Elaninae Previously in Elaninae * Genus ''Machaerhamphus'' or ''Macheiramphus'' (subfamily Harpiinae) ** Bat hawk, ''M. alcinus'' – Paleotropics (Africa, south Asia through to New Guinea) * Genus ''Elanoides'' (subfamily Perninae) ** Swallow-tailed kite, ''Elanoides forficatus'' – Americas Description ''Elanus'' species are p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Accipitridae
The Accipitridae is one of the three families within the order Accipitriformes, and is a family of small to large birds with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet. They feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and a few feeding on fruit. The Accipitridae have a cosmopolitan distribution, being found on all the world's continents (except Antarctica) and a number of oceanic island groups. Some species are migratory. The family contains 255 species which are divided into 70 genera. Many well-known birds such as hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures are included in this group. The osprey is usually placed in a separate family (Pandionidae), as is the secretary bird (Sagittariidae), and the New World vultures are also usually now regarded as a separate family or order. Karyotype data indicate the accipitrids analysed are indeed a distinct monophyletic group. Systematics and phylogeny ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scissor-tailed Kite
The scissor-tailed kite (''Chelictinia riocourii''), also known as African swallow-tailed kite or fork-tailed kite, is a bird of prey in the monotypic genus ''Chelictinia'' in the family Accipitridae. It is widespread in the northern tropics of Africa. Taxonomy and systematics The species was illustrated in 1821 for a work by Coenraad Temminck, and described in 1822 by Louis Vieillot. It had been grouped with the ''Elanus'' kites or with the larger American swallow-tailed kite; in 1843 René Lesson assigned it to a separate genus, ''Chelictinia''. The genus name ''Chelictinia'' is possibly derived from Greek χελιδών or χελιδονι (chelidon), the swallow, with ικτινοσ (iktinos), the kite. The specific epithet ''riocourii'' honours the Count Rioucour, Antoine François du Bois "first president in the Royal Court of Nancy, and possessor of a beautiful collection of birds". The surname ''du Boys'' is also written as ''du Bois'' or ''Dubois''. However, some ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pearl Kite
The pearl kite (''Gampsonyx swainsonii'') is a very small raptor found in open savanna habitat adjacent to deciduous woodland. It is the only member of the genus ''Gampsonyx''. The scientific name commemorates the English naturalist William Swainson. Taxonomy and systematics The type specimen was collected from Brazil by English naturalist William Swainson, and described by Nicholas Aylward Vigors in 1825. Vigors noted the similarity to both hawks and falcons, but placed ''Gampsonyx'' within the "Accipitrine subfamily" because it lacks the notched beak of the falcons. He also noted its striking resemblance to the coloration of the falconets. Later, the pearl kite was classified with the falcons. For example, Peters placed it with the forest falcons in subfamily Polyhieracinae. In the mid-20th century it was found to be related to '' Elanus'' based on morphology and its molt schedule. Distribution and habitat This tiny kite breeds from Panama, Colombia and Venezuela south to Bo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scissor-tailed Kite
The scissor-tailed kite (''Chelictinia riocourii''), also known as African swallow-tailed kite or fork-tailed kite, is a bird of prey in the monotypic genus ''Chelictinia'' in the family Accipitridae. It is widespread in the northern tropics of Africa. Taxonomy and systematics The species was illustrated in 1821 for a work by Coenraad Temminck, and described in 1822 by Louis Vieillot. It had been grouped with the ''Elanus'' kites or with the larger American swallow-tailed kite; in 1843 René Lesson assigned it to a separate genus, ''Chelictinia''. The genus name ''Chelictinia'' is possibly derived from Greek χελιδών or χελιδονι (chelidon), the swallow, with ικτινοσ (iktinos), the kite. The specific epithet ''riocourii'' honours the Count Rioucour, Antoine François du Bois "first president in the Royal Court of Nancy, and possessor of a beautiful collection of birds". The surname ''du Boys'' is also written as ''du Bois'' or ''Dubois''. However, some ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pearl Kite
The pearl kite (''Gampsonyx swainsonii'') is a very small raptor found in open savanna habitat adjacent to deciduous woodland. It is the only member of the genus ''Gampsonyx''. The scientific name commemorates the English naturalist William Swainson. Taxonomy and systematics The type specimen was collected from Brazil by English naturalist William Swainson, and described by Nicholas Aylward Vigors in 1825. Vigors noted the similarity to both hawks and falcons, but placed ''Gampsonyx'' within the "Accipitrine subfamily" because it lacks the notched beak of the falcons. He also noted its striking resemblance to the coloration of the falconets. Later, the pearl kite was classified with the falcons. For example, Peters placed it with the forest falcons in subfamily Polyhieracinae. In the mid-20th century it was found to be related to '' Elanus'' based on morphology and its molt schedule. Distribution and habitat This tiny kite breeds from Panama, Colombia and Venezuela south to Bo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Letter-winged Kite
The letter-winged kite (''Elanus scriptus'') is a small, rare and Irruptive growth, irruptive bird of prey that is endemism, found only in Australia. Measuring around in length with a wingspan of , the adult letter-winged kite has predominantly pale grey and white plumage and prominent black rings around its red eyes. It gains its name from the highly distinctive black underwing pattern of a shallow 'M' or 'W' shape, seen when in flight. This distinguishes it from the otherwise similar black-shouldered kite. This species is also the only nocturnal species within the order Accipitriformes despite few differences found in its visual anatomy to other closely related kites. The species begins breeding in response to rodent outbreaks, with pairs nesting in loose colonies of up to 50 birds each. Three to four eggs are laid and incubated for around thirty days, though the eggs may be abandoned if the food source disappears. Chicks are fledged within five weeks of hatching. Roosti ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Accipitrinae
The Accipitrinae are the subfamily of the Accipitridae often known as the "true" hawks, including all members of ''Accipiter'' and the closely related genera ''Microspizias'', ''Erythrotriorchis'', and '' Megatriorchis''. The large and widespread genus ''Accipiter'' includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, the sharp-shinned hawk and others. They are primarily woodland birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch, with long tails, broad wings and high visual acuity facilitating this lifestyle. In light of recent genetic research, the kites of the traditional subfamily Milvinae may also belong to this group. Hawks, including the accipitrines, are believed to have vision several times sharper than humans, in part because of the great number of photoreceptor cells in their retinas (up to 1,000,000 per square mm, against 200,000 for humans), a very high number of nerves connecting the receptors to the brain, and an indented fovea, which magnifies the central portion of the visual ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elanus
''Elanus'' is a genus of bird of prey in the elanine kite subfamily. It was introduced by the French zoologist Jules-César Savigny in 1809 with the black-winged kite (''Elanus caeruleus'') as the type species. The name is from the Ancient Greek ' for a "kite". The genus contains four species: The first three species above were considered conspecific as subspecies of ''Elanus caeruleus'', which has been known as the black-shouldered kite. These are white and grey raptors of open country, with black wing markings and a short square tail. They hunt by slowly quartering the habitat for rodents and other small mammals, birds and insects, sometimes hovering like a kestrel The term kestrel (from french: crécerelle, derivative from , i.e. ratchet) is the common name given to several species of predatory birds from the falcon genus ''Falco''. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviou .... Notes References *Ferguson-Lees, Christie, Franklin, Me ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Black-shouldered Kite
The black-shouldered kite (''Elanus axillaris''), also known as the Australian black-shouldered kite, is a small bird of prey found in open habitats throughout Australia. It resembles similar species found in Africa, Eurasia and North America, including the black-winged kite, a species that has in the past also been called "black-shouldered kite". Measuring around in length, with a wingspan of , the adult black-shouldered kite has predominantly grey-white plumage and prominent black markings above its red eyes. It gains its name from the black patches on its wings. The primary call is a clear whistle, uttered in flight and while hovering. It can be confused with the related letter-winged kite in Australia, which is distinguished by the striking black markings under its wings. The species forms monogamous pairs, breeding between August and January. The birds engage in aerial courtship displays which involve high circling flight and ritualised feeding mid-air. Three or four eggs ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scissor-tailed Kite
The scissor-tailed kite (''Chelictinia riocourii''), also known as African swallow-tailed kite or fork-tailed kite, is a bird of prey in the monotypic genus ''Chelictinia'' in the family Accipitridae. It is widespread in the northern tropics of Africa. Taxonomy and systematics The species was illustrated in 1821 for a work by Coenraad Temminck, and described in 1822 by Louis Vieillot. It had been grouped with the ''Elanus'' kites or with the larger American swallow-tailed kite; in 1843 René Lesson assigned it to a separate genus, ''Chelictinia''. The genus name ''Chelictinia'' is possibly derived from Greek χελιδών or χελιδονι (chelidon), the swallow, with ικτινοσ (iktinos), the kite. The specific epithet ''riocourii'' honours the Count Rioucour, Antoine François du Bois "first president in the Royal Court of Nancy, and possessor of a beautiful collection of birds". The surname ''du Boys'' is also written as ''du Bois'' or ''Dubois''. However, some ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pearl Kite (15119841226)
The pearl kite (''Gampsonyx swainsonii'') is a very small raptor found in open savanna habitat adjacent to deciduous woodland. It is the only member of the genus ''Gampsonyx''. The scientific name commemorates the English naturalist William Swainson. Taxonomy and systematics The type specimen was collected from Brazil by English naturalist William Swainson, and described by Nicholas Aylward Vigors in 1825. Vigors noted the similarity to both hawks and falcons, but placed ''Gampsonyx'' within the "Accipitrine subfamily" because it lacks the notched beak of the falcons. He also noted its striking resemblance to the coloration of the falconets. Later, the pearl kite was classified with the falcons. For example, Peters placed it with the forest falcons in subfamily Polyhieracinae. In the mid-20th century it was found to be related to ''Elanus'' based on morphology and its molt schedule. Distribution and habitat This tiny kite breeds from Panama, Colombia and Venezuela south to Bol ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Black-winged Kite
The black-winged kite (''Elanus caeruleus''), also known as the black-shouldered kite (not to be confused with the closely-related Australian species of the same name), is a small diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae best known for its habit of hovering over open grasslands in the manner of the much smaller kestrels. This Palearctic and Afrotropical species was sometimes combined with the Australian black-shouldered kite (''Elanus axillaris'') and the white-tailed kite (''Elanus leucurus'') of North and South America which together form a superspecies. This kite is distinctive, with long wings; white, grey and black plumage; and owl-like forward-facing eyes with red irises. The owl-like behaviour is even more pronounced in the letter-winged kite (''Elanus scriptus''), a nocturnal relative in Australia. Although mainly seen on plains, they are sometimes seen on grassy slopes of hills in the higher elevation regions of Asia. They are not migratory, but show nomadism in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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