Charles Ellicott Commentary Leviticus 11:14

"and the kite, and the falcon after its kind," — Leviticus 11:14 (ASV)

And the vulture. —Rather, the kite. Its name in the original (dââh), which literally denotes the swift, majestic and gliding flier, appropriately describes this bird. It sails with its expanded wings through the air, where it often pauses as if suspended, watching for its prey.

Kites are very plentiful in Syria and are frequently seen hovering over the plains, the villages, and the outskirts of towns, looking out for garbage and offal. Consequently, they are often seen in company with the vulture at their useful task of devouring the carrion.

Their gregarious habits are referred to by Isaiah (Isaiah 34:15), where they are mentioned in company with other birds of prey as suitable inhabitants of devastated Edom. The kite is used by different Eastern tribes as food.

And the kite. —Rather, the falcon. “The greedy one” (ayah), as it is called in the original, fittingly describes this most shrewd, bloodthirsty, and rapacious robber.

Its piercing sight is referred to by Job (Job 28:7), where it is translated vulture in the Authorized Version, though in the passage before us and in the parallel passage in Deuteronomy 14:13, it is rendered kite.

It exists in Syria in a great variety of species, for which reason the text adds after his kind. The falcon is eaten in the Levant and is considered rather delicate.