Accipitridae
Sign in to saveThe Accipitridae () is one of the four families within the order Accipitriformes, and 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. The family contains 256 species which are divided into 12 subfamilies and 75 genera.
AI overview
Accipitridae is a large family of birds of prey found on every continent except Antarctica, characterized by their strongly hooked bills and ability to hunt prey ranging from insects to medium-sized mammals. With 256 species divided among 12 subfamilies, this family is important for understanding the diversity and global distribution of predatory birds, some of which migrate seasonally while others remain in fixed territories.
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Taxonomy · GBIF
FAMILY
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassAves
- OrderAccipitriformes
- FamilyAccipitridae
via GBIF · CC0
Article
10 sectionsContents
- Systematics and phylogeny
- Taxonomy
- Fossil record
- Morphology
- Diet and behavior
- Reproductive biology and populations
- See also
- References
- Sources
- External links
The Accipitridae () is one of the four families within the order Accipitriformes, and 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. The family contains 256 species which are divided into 12 subfamilies and 75 genera.
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.