Kite, one of the long-winged, small footed, short-beaked Falconidae. The typical genus is Milvus, confined to the Old World, and represented by half-a-dozen species. Of these the Common or Red Kite (Milvus ictinus), found throughout Europe, is now very rare in Britain. It feeds on offal and small vertebrates of all kinds, and may be destructive to young game and poultry. The Black Kite (M. migrans) has been recorded in Britain; the Pariah Kite (M. govinda) of India is a useful scavenger; M. isurus inhabits Australia. Under the title kite are also included the Black-winged Kites (Elanus) of both hemispheres; the beautiful Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus), occurring in the warmer parts of North America; the Hook-billed Kite (Rostrhamus) of South America and Florida, feeding, curiously enough, on fresh-water snails; and the large Bee-kite or Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), inhabiting Europe and Africa.