Kites are long winged raptors in the family Accipitridae (hawks, eagles and kites). There are two subfamilies and 15 genera and 25 species of kites.

Subfamily Elaninae
Genus Elanus
Black-winged Kite, Elanus caeruleus
Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus axillaris
White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus
Letter-winged Kite, Elanus scriptus
Genus Chelictinia
African Swallow-tailed Kite, Chelictinia riocourii
Genus Machaerhamphus
Bat Hawk, Machaerhamphus alcinus
Genus Gampsonyx
Pearl Kite, Gampsonyx swainsonii
Genus Elanoides
Swallow-tailed Kite, Elanoides forficatus

Subfamily Milvinae
Genus Harpagus
Double-toothed Kite, Harpagus bidentatus
Rufous-thighed Kite, Harpagus diodon
Genus Ictinia
Mississippi Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
Plumbeous Kite, Ictinia plumbea
Genus Rostrhamus
Snail Kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis
Genus Helicolestes
Slender-billed Kite, Helicolestes hamatus - formerly in Rostrhamus
Genus Haliastur
Whistling Kite, Haliastur sphenurus
Brahminy Kite, Haliastur indus
Genus Milvus
Red Kite, Milvus milvus
Cape Verde Kite, Milvus (milvus) fasciicauda - extinct (2000)
Black Kite, Milvus migrans
Black-eared Kite,
Milvus (migrans) lineatus
Yellow-billed Kite, Milvus (migrans) aegyptius
Genus Lophoictinia
Square-tailed Kite, Lophoictinia isura
Genus Hamirostra
Black-breasted Buzzard, Hamirostra melanosternon

A few of the Perninae are also called kites.
Genus Leptodon
Grey-headed Kite, Leptodon cayanensis
White-collared Kite, Leptodon forbesi
Genus Chondrohierax
Hook-billed Kite, Chondrohierax uncinatus