Haliastur Kites

Haliastur is a genus of medium-sized diurnal birds of prey. It consists of two species of kites which form part of the subfamily Milvinae; some authorities place these species in the genus Milvus, despite clear differences in behaviour, voice and plumage.

The genus was erected by the English naturalist Prideaux John Selby in 1840 with the brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) as the type species. The name of the genus combines the Ancient Greek hali- "sea-" and the Latin astur meaning "hawk".