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Accipitrinae

(Subfamily)

Overview

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The Accipitrinae is the of the Accipitridae often known as the "true" hawks, including all members of Accipiter and the closely related genera Melierax, Urotriorchis, Erythrotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread genus Accipiter includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, the Sharp-shinned Hawk and others. They are primarily woodland birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch, with long tails, broad wings and high visual acuity facilitating this lifestyle. In light of recent genetic research, the kites of the traditional subfamily Milvinae may also belong to this group.

Hawks, including the accipitrines, are believed to have vision several times as sharp as that of the human species, in part because of the great number of photoreceptors in their retinas (up to 1,000,000 per square mm, against 200,000 for humans), a very high number of nerves connecting the recepto rs to the brain, and an indented fovea, which magnifies the central portion of the visual field.

Species in Taxonomic Order

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Hawks and Humans

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Hawks are sometimes used in falconry, a sport in which trained birds of prey are flown at small game for sport.

Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Subfamily Accipitrinae is a member of the Family Accipitridae. Here is the complete "parentage" of Accipitrinae:

The Subfamily Accipitrinae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Accipiter

The genus Accipiter is a group of in the family Accipitridae, many of which are named as goshawks and sparrowhawks. [more]

Aegypius

The Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) is also known as the Black Vulture, Monk Vulture, or Cinereous Vulture. It is a member of the family , which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers. [more]

Aquila

[more]

Asturina

Asturina can refer to: [more]

Aviceda

The bazas, Aviceda, are a genus of in the Accipitridae family. The genus has a widespread distribution from Australia to southern Asia and across to Africa. The bazas are sometimes known as cuckoo-hawks. A prominent crest is a feature of the bazas. They have two tooth-like indentations on the edge of the upper bill. [more]

Busarellus

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Butastur

Butastur is a genus of in the Accipitridae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Buteo

Buteo (: Buteo is the Latin name of the Common Buzzard) is a genus of medium-sized wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings. In the Old World, members of this genus are called "buzzards", but "hawk" is used in North America. As both terms are ambiguous, buteo is sometimes used instead, for example, by the Peregrine Fund. [more]

Buteogallus

Buteogallus is a of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. All members of this genus are essentially Neotropical, but the distribution of a single species extends slightly into extreme southern USA. Most are known as black-hawks (though not all species are dark) or mangrove-hawks (though can also be found far inland). For the entire group the name crab-hawks seems most apt, in reference to the fact that all species are quite fond of large crustaceans and will even patrol long stretches of shore or riverbank on foot where such prey abounds, but there are a number of birds with somewhat different lifestyle which appear so closely related that they ought to be included here. [more]

Chelictinia

[more]

Chondrohierax

Chondrohierax is a genus of . Its two members are often considered to be conspecific. They are [more]

Circaetus

Circaetus, the snake eagles, is a genus of medium-sized in the bird of prey family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as buzzards and harriers. [more]

Circus

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Dryotriorchis

The Congo Serpent-eagle (Dryotriorchis spectabilis) is a species of in the Accipitridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Dryotriorchis. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. [more]

Elanoides

The Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) is an which breeds from the southeastern United States to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. Most North and Central American breeders winter in South America where the species is resident year round. It was formerly named Falco forficatus. [more]

Elanus

Elanus is a genus of in the elanid kite subfamily. It consists of four species. [more]

Erythrotriorchis

Erythrotriorchis is a genus of in the Accipitridae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Eutriorchis

The Madagascar Serpent-eagle, Serpentaire de Madagascar, or Culebrera Azor (Eutriorchis astur) is a species of in the Accipitridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Eutriorchis. It is endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Gampsonyx

The Pearl Kite, Gampsonyx swainsonii, is a very small found in open savanna habitat adjacent to deciduous woodland. It is the only member of the genus Gampsonyx. [more]

Geranoaetus

The Black-chested Eagle-buzzard (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) is a of the hawk and eagle family (Accipitridae). It lives in South America. This species is also known as the Black Buzzard-eagle, Grey Buzzard-eagle or analogously with "eagle" or "eagle-buzzard" replacing "buzzard-eagle", or as the Chilean Blue Eagle. It is sometimes placed in the genus Buteo. [more]

Geranospiza

The Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) is a species of in the Accipitridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Geranospiza. It is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, the United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and subtropical or tropical swamps. [more]

Gypaetus

The Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus ("Bearded Vulture-Eagle"), is an , the only member of the genus Gypaetus. It breeds on crags in high mountains in southern Europe, Africa, India and Tibet, laying one or two eggs in mid-winter which hatch at the beginning of spring. The population is resident. The Lammergeier has been successfully re-introduced into the Alps, but is still one of the rarest raptors in Europe. [more]

Gypohierax

Semuliki, Uganda

The Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) is a very large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers. It is the only member of the genus Gypohierax. [more]

Gyps

The Gyps vultures are a genus of in the bird family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. [more]

Haliaeetus

A sea eagle (also called erne or ern, which are rare except applied to the White-tailed Eagle) is any of the in the genus Haliaeetus in the bird of prey family Accipitridae. [more]

Haliastur

Haliastur is a of medium-sized diurnal birds of prey. It consists of two species of kite which form part of the subfamily Milvinae; some authorities place these species in the genus Milvus, despite clear differences in behaviour, voice and plumage. [more]

Hamirostra

The Black-breasted Buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon), or Black-breasted Kite, is a large in the family Accipitridae and the monotypic genus Hamirostra. Its wing length ranges between 440 and 500 mm, with females being larger. [more]

Harpagus

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Harpia

The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), sometimes known as the American Harpy Eagle, is a species of eagle. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 as Vultur harpyja. It is the only member of the genus Harpia. [more]

Harpyhaliaetus

Harpyhaliaetus is a of eagles. Recent studies have shown that the Solitary Eagle is closely related to the black-hawks, in particular the rather similar Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis). Therefore, this genus may be merged into that of the black-hawks. [more]

Harpyopsis

The New Guinea Harpy Eagle, Harpyopsis novaeguineae, also known as the Kapul Eagle, is a huge (up to 90cm long) greyish brown with a short full crest, broad three-banded wings, powerful beak, large iris, long rounded tail and white underparts. It has long and powerful unfeathered legs with sharp claws. The sexes are similar, and the female is slightly larger than the male. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Harpyopsis. [more]

Henicopernis

Henicopernis is a genus of in the Accipitridae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Hieraaetus

The Hieraaetus, sometimes known as hawk-eagles, denoted a group of smallish eagles usually placed in the Buteoninae subfamily of accipitrids. [more]

Ichthyophaga

Ichthyophaga is a genus of two species of , closely related to the sea-eagles in the genus Haliaeetus. Both are native to southeastern Asia, from the Indian subcontinent southeast to Sulawesi. They are smaller than the Haliaeetus eagles, though overlapping in size with the smaller species of that genus. They share similar plumage, with grey heads grading into dull grey-brown wings and bodies, and white belly and legs. They differ in tail color, with Lesser Fish-eagle having a brown tail, and Grey-headed Fish-eagle having a white tail with a black terminal band, and also in size, with Lesser Fish-eagle only about half of the weight of Grey-headed Fish-eagle. [more]

Ictinaetus

The Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis) is a . Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae, and is the only member of the genus Ictinaetus. They soar over forests in the hilly regions of tropical Asia and hunt mammals and birds, particularly at their nests. They are easily identified by their widely splayed and long primary "fingers", the characteristic silhouette, slow flight and yellow ceres and legs that contrast with their dark feathers. [more]

Ictinia

Ictinia is a genus of birds in the family. It contains two species: [more]

Kaupifalco

The Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) is a . It belongs to the family Accipitridae. Despite its name, it may be more closely related to the Accipiter hawks than the Buteo buzzards. [more]

Leptodon

Leptodon is a genus of . Its two members are similar, with a grey head, black upperparts and white underparts. They are: [more]

Leucopternis

Leucopternis is a genus of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It contains the following species (but it is probably polyphyletic): [more]

Lophaetus

The Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) is a . Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae. It is currently placed in a monotypic genus Lophaetus. [more]

Lophoictinia

The Square-tailed Kite, Lophoictinia isura, is a in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers. [more]

Macheiramphus

The Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) is a found in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia to New Guinea. It is named for its diet, which consists mainly of bats. It requires open space in which to hunt, but will live anywhere from dense rainforest to semi-arid veld. [more]

Megatriorchis

Doria's Goshawk, Megatriorchis doriae, is a , the only member of the genus Megatriorchis. [more]

Melierax

Melierax is a genus of in the Accipitridae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Micronisus

The Gabar Goshawk (Melierax gabar) is a species of in the Accipitridae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. [more]

Milvus

Milvus is a of medium-sized birds of prey. It is an Old World group consisting of three kites which form part of the subfamily Milvinae. Its systematics are under revision; it contains 3 or 4 species. [more]

Morphnus

The Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis) is a neotropical . It is the only member of the genus Morphnus. It is 71-89 cm (28-35 in) long and weighs 1.75-3 kg (3.9-6.6 lbs). [more]

Necrosyrtes

The Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus, is an in the order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus Necrosyrtes. [more]

Neophron

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Oroaetus

The Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori) is a species of in the Accipitridae family. It is often placed in the monotypic genus Oroaetus. It is found humid montane forests in the Andes from northern Argentina, through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, to Venezuela, with isolated populations in the Venezuelan Coastal Range, Serranía del Perijá and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is generally local and rare. [more]

Parabuteo

The Harris's Hawk or Harris Hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus, formerly known as the Bay-winged Hawk or Dusky Hawk, is a medium-large which breeds from the southwestern United States south to Chile and central Argentina. Birds are sometimes reported at large in Western Europe, especially Britain, but it is a popular species in falconry and these records almost certainly all refer to escapes from captivity. [more]

Pernis

Pernis can refer to either: [more]

Pithecophaga

The Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi, also known as the Great Philippine Eagle, Haribon, or Monkey-eating Eagle, is a belonging to the family Accipitridae and the world’s largest eagle. It is the only member of the genus Pithecophaga and is genetically believed to be most closely related to the snake eagles. The Philippine Eagle has a dark brown back and white underbelly. Its nape possesses long brown feathers that resemble a crest. The bill and talons are large. This eagle is endemic to the Philippines and can be found on four major islands: eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao, with most of the population living on Mindanao. It lives in dipterocarp and mid-montane forests, particularly in steep areas. [more]

Polemaetus

The Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus), is 's largest eagle and is the only member of the genus Polemaetus. [more]

Polyboroides

A harrier is any of the several species of hawks forming the Circinae sub-family of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles or birds. [more]

Rostrhamus

The Snail Kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis, is a within the family Accipitridae, which also includes the eagles, hawks and Old World vultures. Its relative, the Slender-billed Kite, is now again placed in Helicolestes, making the genus Rostrhamus monotypic. Usually placed in the milvine kites, the validity of that group is under investigation. [more]

Sarcogyps

The Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), also known as the Asian King Vulture, Indian Black Vulture or Pondicherry Vulture, is a species of found in South Asia. [more]

Spilornis

Spilornis is a genus in the family Accipitridae. [more]

Spizaetus

Spizaetus is the typical hawk-eagle genus found in the tropics of the Americas. It was however used to indicate a group of medium-large tropical eagles that included species occurring in southern and southeastern Asia and one representative of this genus in the rainforests of West Africa. The Old Word species have been separated into the genus Nisaetus. Several species have a prominent head crest. [more]

Spizastur

The Black-and-white Hawk-eagle (Spizaetus melanoleucus, formerly Spizastur melanoleucus) is a species in the eagle and hawk family (Accipitridae). It is found throughout a large part of tropical America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. [more]

Stephanoaetus

Stephanoaetus is a of very large birds of prey from Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Only one of the two species is extant. [more]

Terathopius

The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a medium-sized in the bird family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as buzzards, kites and harriers. It is the only member of the genus Terathopius and probably the origin of the "Zimbabwe bird", national emblem of Zimbabwe. [more]

Torgos

The Lappet-faced Vulture or Nubian Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) is a mostly Old World vulture belonging to the bird order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus Torgos. A distinct subspecies T. t. negevensis occurs in the Sinai, the Negev desert and probably north-west Saudi Arabia. [more]

Trigonoceps

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Urotriorchis

The Long-tailed Hawk (Urotriorchis macrourus) is a in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers. It is the only member of the genus Urotriorchis. [more]

At least 3 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Urotriorchis.

More info about the Genus Urotriorchis may be found here.

Sources

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Last Revised: January 24, 2010
2010/01/24 03:49:39