Cuban kite
Chondrohierax wilsonii
The Cuban kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers.
About the Cuban kite
The Cuban kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers. The species was originally described in 1847 by John Cassin from material at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. It is endemic to Cuba. The Clements Checklist considered it as subspecies of the hook-billed kite until its 2022 revision. A molecular phylogenetics analysis using mitochondrial DNA suggests that it warrants species status having diverged from the mainland lineage approximately 400,000 to 1.5 million years ago.
Fun Facts About Cuban kite
- A molecular phylogenetics analysis using mitochondrial DNA suggests that it warrants species status having diverged from the mainland lineage approximately 400,000 to 1.5 million years ago.
- The species was originally described in 1847 by John Cassin from material at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
- The Clements Checklist considered it as subspecies of the hook-billed kite until its 2022 revision.
Conservation Status
The Cuban kite is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This species is at significant risk of extinction and requires active conservation efforts.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Chondrohierax |
| Species | Chondrohierax wilsonii |
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Other species in the Accipitridae family: