| Accipitridae | |
|---|---|
 Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) | |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
Accipitridae is a family of small to large birds of prey with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet. They feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and a few feeding on fruit. The Accipitridae have a cosmopolitan distribution, being found on all the world's continents (except Antarctica) and a number of oceanic island groups. Some species are migratory.
Many well-known birds, such as hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures are included in this group. The osprey is usually placed in a separate family (Pandionidae), as is the secretary bird (Sagittariidae), and the New World vultures are also usually now regarded as a separate family or order. Karyotype data indicate the accipitrids analysed are indeed a distinct monophyletic group, but whether this group should be considered a family or one or several order(s) on their own is a question still to be resolved.
Systematics
Morphology
Diet and Behavior
Reproductive Biology and Populations
Species
Subfamily: Elaninae (elanid kites) Genus: Elanus (4 species) Genus: Gampsonyx (Monotype) Genus: Chelictinia (Monotype) Genus: Macheiramphus (Monotype) (was doubtfully placed, moved from Perninae) Subfamily: Perninae (honey buzzards) Genus: Aviceda (5 species) Genus: Henicopernis (2 species) Genus: Pernis (3 species) Genus: Leptodon (2 species) Genus: Chondrohierax (2 species) Subfamily: Aegypiinae (Old World vultures) Genus: Sarcogyps (Monotype) Genus: Aegypius (Monotype) Genus: Torgos (Monotype) Genus: Trigonoceps (Monotype) Genus: Gyps (8 species) Genus: Necrosyrtes (Monotype) Subfamily: Gypaetinae Genus: Neophron (Monotype) Genus: Gypohierax (Monotype) Genus: Gypaetus (Monotype) Genus: Eutriorchis (Monotype) Subfamily: Buteoninae (buteonine hawks, true eagles and sea-eagles) Genus: Geranoaetus (Monotype) Genus: Buteo (30 species) (probably paraphyletic, might include Leucopternis in part and Parabuteo) Genus: Parabuteo (2 species) Genus: Buteogallus (9 species) Genus: Busarellus (Monotype) Genus: Cryptoleucopteryx (Monotype) Genus: Pseudastur (3 species) Genus: Morphnarchus (Monotype) Genus: Leucopternis (3 species) (probably polyphyletic) Genus: Kaupifalco (Monotype) Genus: Butastur (4 species) Genus: Morphnus (Monotype) Genus: Harpia (Monotype) Genus: Pithecophaga (Monotype) Genus: Harpyopsis (Monotype) Genus: Spizaetus (4 species) Genus: Nisaetus (9 species) Genus: Lophaetus (Monotype) (possibly junior synonym of Ictinaetus) Genus: Stephanoaetus (2 species) Genus: Polemaetus (Monotype) Genus: "Hieraaetus" (hawk-eagles) (3 species) (Genus name unavailable or belongs in Aquila) Genus: Lophotriorchis (Monotype) Genus: Aquila (true eagles) (9 species) Genus: Clanga (spotted eagles) (3 species) Genus: Ictinaetus (Monotype) Genus: Haliaeetus (sea eagles and brown fish eagles) (8 species) Genus: Ichthyophaga (2 species) Genus: Harpagornis (might belong into Aquila) Subfamily: Circinae (harriers) Genus: Circus (17 species) Genus: Polyboroides (2 species) Genus: Geranospiza (Monotype) Subfamily: Milvinae (milvine kites) Genus: Haliastur (2 species) Genus: Milvus (4 species) Genus: Harpagus (2 species) Genus: Ictinia (2 species) Genus: Rostrhamus (Monotype) Genus: Helicolestes (Monotype) (formerly in Rostrhamus) Genus: Lophoictinia (Monotype) Genus: Hamirostra (Monotype) Subfamily: Accipitrinae (goshawks, sparrowhawks, and relatives) Genus: Accipiter (50 species) Genus: Melierax (3 species) Genus: Urotriorchis (Monotype) Genus: Erythrotriorchis (2 species) Genus: Megatriorchis (Monotype) Subfamily: Circaetinae (snake eagles) Genus: Circaetus (6 species) Genus: Dryotriorchis (Monotype) Genus: Spilornis (6 species) Genus: Eutriorchis (Monotype) Genus: Terathopius (Monotype) Genus: Pithecophaga (Monotype)
