About the Scissor-tailed Kite
The scissor-tailed kite, also known commonly as the African swallow-tailed kite and the fork-tailed kite, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is the only species placed in the genus Chelictinia. It is widespread in the northern tropics of Africa.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Hawks, Eagles, and Kites (Accipitridae) |
| Species | Chelictinia riocourii |
| Species Codes | sctkit1, STKI, ASTK |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Scissor-tailed Kite belong to?
The Scissor-tailed Kite (Chelictinia riocourii) belongs to the Hawks, Eagles, and Kites family (Accipitridae), in the order Accipitriformes.
How can I identify the Scissor-tailed Kite?
The scissor-tailed kite, also known commonly as the African swallow-tailed kite and the fork-tailed kite, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is the only species placed in the genus Chelictinia. It is widespread in the northern tropics of Africa....
Where can I report a Scissor-tailed Kite sighting?
You can log sightings of Scissor-tailed Kite on eBird (ebird.org) using species code sctkit1, or on iNaturalist.
Related Species in Hawks, Eagles, and Kites 250 species
More Birds in Order Accipitriformes
Quick Stats
Spotted a Scissor-tailed Kite?
Log your sighting on eBird or upload a photo to our AI Bird Identifier!