Haliastur | |
---|---|
Whistling kite (Haliastur sphenurus) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Accipitriformes |
Family: | Accipitridae |
Subfamily: | Buteoninae |
Genus: | Haliastur Selby, 1840 |
Type species | |
Falco pondicerianus[1] Gmelin, 1788
| |
Species | |
H. indus |
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,[2] despite clear differences in behaviour, voice and plumage.[3]
The genus was erected by the English naturalist Prideaux John Selby in 1840 with brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) as the type species.[4] The name of the genus combines the Ancient Greek hali- "sea-" and the Latin astur meaning "hawk".[5]