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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 African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)

African Fish Eagle

Haliaeetus vocifer
A photo of a Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) , male

Bateleur

Terathopius ecaudatus
A photo of a Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

Bearded Vulture

Gypaetus barbatus
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
A photo of a Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)

Cinereous Vulture

Aegypius monachus
A photo of a Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)

Crested Honey Buzzard

Pernis ptilorhynchus
A photo of a Dark Chanting Goshawk (Melierax metabates)

Dark Chanting Goshawk

Melierax metabates
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 Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) , male

Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis
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 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 Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) , male

Montagu's Harrier

Circus pygargus
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 Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus)

Rough-legged Buzzard

Buteo lagopus
A photo of a Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli)

Rüppell's Vulture

Gyps rueppelli
A photo of a Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Short-toed Eagle

Circaetus gallicus
A photo of a Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti)

Spanish Imperial Eagle

Aquila adalberti
A photo of a Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) , male

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus
A photo of a Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)

Spotted Eagle

Clanga clanga
A photo of a Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)

Steppe Eagle

Aquila nipalensis
A photo of a Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax)

Tawny Eagle

Aquila rapax
A photo of a Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii)

Verreaux's Eagle

Aquila verreauxii
A photo of a Wahlberg's Eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi)

Wahlberg's Eagle

Hieraaetus wahlbergi
A photo of a White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)

White-backed Vulture

Gyps africanus
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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