Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

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
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.
1
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Species Categories

African & New World ParrotsAfrican BarbetsAnhingas, DartersAustral Storm PetrelsBarn OwlsBee-eatersBulbulsBuntingsBushshrikesBustardsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsChats, Old World FlycatchersCisticolas & AlliesCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCrab-ploverCranesCrombecs, African WarblersCrows, JaysCuckoosCuckooshrikesDrongosDucks, Geese, SwansEgyptian PloverFigbirds, Orioles, TurnagraFinches, EuphoniasFinfootsFlamingosFlufftailsFrigatebirdsGannets, BoobiesGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGround HornbillsGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHamerkopHerons, BitternsHoneyguidesHoopoesHornbillsHyliotasHypocoliusIbises, SpoonbillsIndigobirds, WhydahsJacanasKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesMonarchsMousebirdsNew World QuailNicatorsNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOspreysOstrichesOwlsOxpeckersOystercatchersPainted-snipesPelicansPenduline TitsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPittasPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesSecretarybirdShoebillShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStone-curlews, Thick-kneesStorksSunbirdsSwallows, MartinsSwiftsSylviid BabblersThrushesTits, ChickadeesTreecreepersTrogonsTropicbirdsTuracosVangas & AlliesWagtails, PipitsWattle-eyes, BatisesWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWeavers, WidowbirdsWhite-eyesWood HoopoesWoodpeckersYellow Flycatchers

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Erna M
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.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
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!
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.