The kite is extremely rapacious, always flying near where meat is prepared so that it can quickly take any raw meat that is discarded. It steals the animal sacrifice from altars, and feeds on carrion. It is timid in large undertakings, but bold in small ones. It is not able to catch woodland birds, so it lies in wait for domestic birds and young birds. Kites sometimes carry cuckoos on their backs.

The mother kite is an envious bird. When she sees her chicks getting fat in the nest, she pecks at them until they become thin.

The kite represents those who delight in carnal pleasures, especially those of the stomach. As the kite cannot catch wild birds and only hunts the weaker domestic ones, so the devil preys only on the weak in spirit.

The liver of the kite is an effective treatment for all troubles of the eyes.