Scissor-tailed kite

Scissor-tailed kite
Flying in Far North Region, Cameroon
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Chelictinia
Lesson, 1843
Species:
C. riocourii
Binomial name
Chelictinia riocourii
(Temminck, 1821)
Synonyms
  • Elanoïdes riocouri Vieillot, 1823?
  • Falco riocour Temminck, 1824
  • Elanus riocouri Vigors, 1824
  • Nauclerus riocouri Vigors 1825
  • Nauclerus africanus Swainson, 1837
  • Chelidopteryx riocourii Kaup, 1845

The scissor-tailed kite (Chelictinia riocourii), also known as African swallow-tailed kite or 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.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2021). "Chelictinia riocourii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T22695042A198901327. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22695042A198901327.en. Retrieved 1 January 2022.