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Kites, Hawks, Eagles

The Accipitridae family, consisting of species such as hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and some vultures, comprises 255 species across 70 genera. These birds of prey range from small to large with strongly hooked beaks and dining habits that include insects, medium-sized mammals, carrion, and occasionally fruit. They are found globally, except Antarctica, with some species exhibiting migratory behavior. Many members of the family exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females generally larger. Accipitrids possess acute vision and strong talons for hunting. They build nests in secure locations and often return to the same site, with breeding seasons varying in length. Eggs are laid at intervals, which can lead to siblicide as a survival strategy when resources are scarce. Young accipitrids fledge after an extended period compared to other birds and may roam for years before reaching maturity. The family displays a diverse array of plumage and size, and while most species are solitary hunters, some, such as the Harris's hawk, demonstrate cooperative hunting and nesting behavior. Molecular studies and fossil records suggest a rich evolutionary history dating back tens of millions of years, with modern genera identified since the Early Oligocene. The intricate relationships within the family and their phylogenetic placement continue to be a subject of scientific investigation.

Regions

A photo of a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus
A photo of a Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Black Kite

Milvus migrans
A photo of a Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)

Black-winged Kite

Elanus caeruleus
A photo of a Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata) , male

Bonelli's Eagle

Aquila fasciata
A photo of a Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)

Booted Eagle

Hieraaetus pennatus
A photo of a Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Buzzard

Buteo buteo

Cape Verde Buzzard

Buteo bannermani
A photo of a Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii
A photo of a Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus
A photo of a Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) , male

Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis
A photo of a Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) , male

Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneus
A photo of a Honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus) , male

Honey-buzzard

Pernis apivorus
A photo of a Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) , male

Marsh Harrier

Circus aeruginosus
A photo of a Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)

Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis
A photo of a Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) , male

Montagu's Harrier

Circus pygargus
A photo of a Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) , male

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius
A photo of a Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) , male

Pallid Harrier

Circus macrourus
A photo of a Red Kite (Milvus milvus)

Red Kite

Milvus milvus
A photo of a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis
A photo of a Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus)

Rough-legged Buzzard

Buteo lagopus
A photo of a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus
A photo of a Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Short-toed Eagle

Circaetus gallicus
A photo of a Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) , male

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus
A photo of a Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus
A photo of a Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax)

Tawny Eagle

Aquila rapax
A photo of a White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

White-tailed Eagle

Haliaeetus albicilla
A photo of a Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius)

Yellow-billed Kite

Milvus aegyptius
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What Our Birders Say
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
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Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
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I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Stewart W
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Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
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