Haliastur
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 brahminy kite as the type species. The name of the genus combines the Ancient Greek hali- "sea-" and the Latin astur meaning "hawk".
Species list
Both of the species found in this genus are large for kites; both are relatively small-headed and have rounded tail tips.| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
| H. indus | Brahminy kite | Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and southeast Asia and as far south as New South Wales, Australia | |
| H. sphenurus | Whistling kite | Australia, New Caledonia and much of New Guinea |