brahminy kite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “brahminy kite” mean?
A medium-sized bird of prey (Haliastur indus) with chestnut-brown plumage and a white head and breast, found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized bird of prey (Haliastur indus) with chestnut-brown plumage and a white head and breast, found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
In some cultures, particularly in India, the brahminy kite is considered sacred and associated with the deity Vishnu, symbolizing protection and good fortune.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in both varieties, primarily in scientific and regional descriptive contexts.
Connotations
Neutral ornithological term in both. May carry slight cultural/religious connotations in contexts discussing Indian wildlife or symbolism.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, encountered mainly in specialized texts, wildlife documentaries, or travel writing about South/Southeast Asia.
Grammar
How to Use “brahminy kite” in a Sentence
The brahminy kite [verb, e.g., soared, circled, hunted].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brahminy kite” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not used as a verb)
American English
- (Not used as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Rarely used attributively, e.g., 'a brahminy kite population')
American English
- (Rarely used attributively, e.g., 'brahminy kite habitat')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, ecology, and South Asian cultural/religious studies papers.
Everyday
Rare, except in regions where the bird is native, in wildlife discussions, or birdwatching contexts.
Technical
Standard term in field guides, taxonomic lists, and conservation literature for the species.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brahminy kite”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brahminy kite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brahminy kite”
- Misspelling as 'brahmin kite', 'brahminy kight', or 'brahminy kyte'. Confusing it with the black kite (Milvus migrans), a more common and widespread species.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a kite, belonging to the family Accipitridae. Its genus name Haliastur means 'sea hawk' or 'sea eagle', but it is taxonomically classified as a kite.
The name references the Brahmin caste, the priestly class in Hinduism, alluding to the bird's sacred status and its clean, white head and breast plumage, which can resemble traditional Brahmin attire.
No, it is currently classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not globally threatened, though local populations may face habitat pressures.
In regions where it is common, 'kite' might be understood contextually. However, 'kite' alone more often refers to the black kite or is a generic term for several species. For clarity, use the full name 'brahminy kite'.
A medium-sized bird of prey (Haliastur indus) with chestnut-brown plumage and a white head and breast, found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
Brahminy kite is usually formal/technical in register.
Brahminy kite: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrɑːmɪni ˈkaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrɑmɪni ˈkaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none specific)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A BRAHMIN (Hindu priest) with a white head, flying a KITE. The bird has a white head and is considered sacred like a Brahmin.
Conceptual Metaphor
SACREDNESS / DIVINE MESSENGER (in Hindu culture); GRACE / POWER (in general observation).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary region where the brahminy kite is found?