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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

African Cuckoo-Hawk

Aviceda cuculoides
A photo of a African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)

African Fish Eagle

Haliaeetus vocifer

African Goshawk

Accipiter tachiro
A photo of a African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus)

African Harrier-Hawk

Polyboroides typus
A photo of a African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster)

African Hawk-Eagle

Aquila spilogaster

African Marsh Harrier

Circus ranivorus

Archer's Buzzard

Buteo archeri
A photo of a Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur)

Augur Buzzard

Buteo augur
A photo of a Ayres's Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus ayresii)

Ayres's Hawk-Eagle

Hieraaetus ayresii
A photo of a Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) , male

Bateleur

Terathopius ecaudatus

Bat Hawk

Macheiramphus alcinus
A photo of a Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

Bearded Vulture

Gypaetus barbatus

Beaudouin's Snake Eagle

Circaetus beaudouini
A photo of a Black-chested Snake Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis)

Black-chested Snake Eagle

Circaetus pectoralis
A photo of a Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Black Kite

Milvus migrans
A photo of a Black Sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus)

Black Sparrowhawk

Accipiter melanoleucus
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 Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus)

Brown Snake Eagle

Circaetus cinereus
A photo of a Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Buzzard

Buteo buteo
A photo of a Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus)

Crowned Eagle

Stephanoaetus coronatus
A photo of a Dark Chanting Goshawk (Melierax metabates)

Dark Chanting Goshawk

Melierax metabates

Eastern Chanting Goshawk

Melierax poliopterus
A photo of a Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)

Eastern Imperial Eagle

Aquila heliaca
A photo of a Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus
A photo of a Gabar Goshawk (Micronisus gabar)

Gabar Goshawk

Micronisus gabar
A photo of a Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos
A photo of a Grasshopper Buzzard (Butastur rufipennis)

Grasshopper Buzzard

Butastur rufipennis
A photo of a Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)

Griffon Vulture

Gyps fulvus
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 Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)

Hooded Vulture

Necrosyrtes monachus
A photo of a Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos)

Lappet-faced Vulture

Torgos tracheliotos
A photo of a Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina)

Lesser Spotted Eagle

Clanga pomarina
A photo of a Levant Sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes)

Levant Sparrowhawk

Accipiter brevipes
A photo of a Little Sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus)

Little Sparrowhawk

Accipiter minullus
A photo of a Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus)

Lizard Buzzard

Kaupifalco monogrammicus
A photo of a Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) , male

Long-crested Eagle

Lophaetus occipitalis
A photo of a Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

Long-legged Buzzard

Buteo rufinus
A photo of a Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) , male

Marsh Harrier

Circus aeruginosus
A photo of a Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus)

Martial Eagle

Polemaetus bellicosus
A photo of a Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) , male

Montagu's Harrier

Circus pygargus

Mountain Buzzard

Buteo oreophilus

Ovambo Sparrowhawk

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

Pallid Harrier

Circus macrourus

Red-necked Buzzard

Buteo auguralis

Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk

Accipiter rufiventris
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