Accipitridae

The Accipitridae is one of the two main families within the order Falconiformes (the diurnal birds of prey). Many well-known bird types like hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures are included in this group. (Most but not all other raptors belong to the Falconidae, or falcon family, which is sometimes raised to the level of an independent order, the Falconiformes.)

Largely because of the explosive impact of modern molecular biology, the current classification of the Accipitridae is confused, with different authorities placing them in different orders. The osprey is often placed in a separate family Pandionidae, and the New World vultures are also usually now regarded as separate.

For an alternative taxonomy, see also Sibley-Alquist taxonomy.

1. Subfamily Elaninae
   1. Elanus caeruleus Black-winged Kite
   2. Elanus axillaris Black-shouldered Kite
   3. Elanus leucurus White-tailed Kite[?]
   4. Elanus scriptus Letter-winged Kite[?]
   5. Chelictinia riocourii (Scissor-tailed Kite)
   6. Machaerhamphus alcinus (Bat Hawk[?])
   7. Gampsonyx swainsonii (Pearl Kite)
   8. Elanoides forficatus (Swallow-tailed Kite)
2. Subfamily Perninae[?]
   1. Aviceda cuculoides (African baza[?])
   2. Aviceda madagascariensis (Madagascar Baza)
   3. Aviceda jerdoni (Jerdon's Baza)
   4. Aviceda subcristata (Pacific Baza[?])
   5. Aviceda leuphotes (Black Baza)
   6. Hernicopernis longicauda (Long-tailed Honey-buzzard[?])
   7. Hernicopernis infuscatus (Black Honey-buzzard)
   8. Pernis apivorus (European Honey Buzzard)
   9. Pernis ptilorhynchus (Oriental Honey-buzzard)
   10. Pernis celebensis (Barred Honey-buzzard)
   11. Leptodon cayanensis (Grey-headed Kite)
   12. Leptodon forbesi (White-collared Kite)
   13. Chondrohierax uncinatus (Hook-billed Kite)
3. Subfamily Milvinae
   1. Harpagus bidentatus (Double-toothed Kite)
   2. Harpagus diodon (Rufous-thighed Kite)
   3. Ictinia mississippiensis (Mississippi kite[?])
   4. Ictinia plumbea (Plumbeous Kite)
   5. Rostrhamus sociabilis (Snail Kite[?])
   6. Rostrhamus hamatus (Slender-billed Kite)
   7. Haliastur sphenurus (Whistling Kite[?])
   8. Haliastur indus Brahminy Kite
   9. Milvus milvus (Red Kite)
   10. Milvus migrans (Black Kite)
   11. Milvus lineatus (Black-eared Kite)
   12. Lophoictinia isura (Square-tailed Kite[?])
   13. Hamirostra melanosternon ([[Black-breasted Buzzard)
4. Subfamily Accipitrinae[?]
   1. Accipiter gentilis (Goshawk[?])
   2. Accipiter nisus (Sparrowhawk[?])
   3. Accipiter poliogaster (Grey-bellied Goshawk)
   4. Accipiter trivirgatus (Crested Goshawk)
   5. Accipiter griseiceps (Sulawesi Goshawk)
   6. Accipiter toussenelii (Red-chested Goshawk)
   7. Accipiter tachiro (African Goshawk)
   8. Accipiter soloensis (Chinese Goshawk)
   9. Accipiter francesii (Frances' Goshawk)
   10. Accipiter trinotatus (Spot-tailed Goshawk)
   11. Accipiter novaehollandiae (Grey Goshawk)
   12. Accipiter fasciatus (Brown Goshawk)
   13. Accipiter melanochlamys (Black-mantled Goshawk)
   14. Accipiter albogularis (Pied Goshawk)
   15. Accipiter rufitorques (Fiji Goshawk)
   16. Accipiter haplochrous (White-bellied Goshawk)
   17. Accipiter henicogrammus (Moluccan Goshawk)
   18. Accipiter poliocephalus (Grey-headed Goshawk)
   19. Accipiter princeps (New Britain Goshawk)
   20. Accipiter melanoleucus (Black Goshawk)
   21. Accipiter henstii (Henst's Goshawk)
   22. Accipiter meyerianus (Meyer's Goshawk)
   23. Accipiter castanilius (Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk)
   24. Accipiter butleri (Nicobar Sparrowhawk)
   25. Accipiter brevipes (Levant Sparrowhawk)
   26. Accipiter luteoschistaceus (Slaty-mantled Sparrowhawk)
   27. Accipiter imitator (Imitator Sparrowhawk)
   28. Accipiter erythropus (Red-thighed Sparrowhawk)
   29. Accipiter minullus (Little Sparrowhawk)
   30. Accipiter gularis (Japanese Sparrowhawk)
   31. Accipiter nanus (Small Sparrowhawk)
   32. Accipiter erythrauchen (Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk)
   33. Accipiter cirrocephalus (Collared Sparrowhawk)
   34. Accipiter brachyurus (New Britain Sparrowhawk)
   35. Accipiter rhodogaster (Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk)
   36. Accipiter madagascariensis (Madagascar Sparrowhawk)
   37. Accipiter ovampensis (Ovampo Sparrowhawk)
   38. Accipiter rufiventris (Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk)
   39. Accipiter badius (Shikra[?])
   40. Accipiter superciliosus (Tiny Hawk)
   41. Accipiter collaris (Semicollared Hawk)
   42. Accipiter striatus (Sharp-shinned Hawk)
   43. Accipiter chionogaster (White-breasted Hawk)
   44. Accipiter ventralis (Plain-breasted Hawk)
   45. Accipiter erythronemius (Rufous-thighed Hawk)
   46. Accipiter cooperii (Cooper's Hawk[?])
   47. Accipiter gundlachi (Gundlach's Hawk)
   48. Accipiter bicolor (Bicoloured Hawk)
   49. Accipiter virgatus (Besra[?])
   50. Micronisus gabar (Gabar Goshawk)
   51. Melierax metabates (Dark Chanting-goshawk)
   52. Melierax poliopterus (Eastern Chanting-goshawk)
   53. Melierax canorus (Pale Chanting-goshawk)
   54. Urotriorchis macrourus (Long-tailed Hawk)
   55. Erythrotriorchis radiatus (Red Goshawk)
   56. Erythrotriorchis buergersi (Chestnut-shouldered Goshawk)
   57. Megatriorchis doriae (Doria's Goshawk)
5. Subfamily Buteoninae[?]
   1. Geranoaetus melanoleucus (Black-chested Buzzard-eagle)
   2. Buteo buteo (Common Buzzard)
   3. Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk[?])
   4. Buteo rufinus (Long-legged Buzzard)
   5. Buteo lagopus (Rough-legged Buzzard[?])
   6. Buteo regalis (Ferruginous Hawk[?])
   7. Buteo lineatus (Red-shouldered Hawk[?])
   8. Buteo platypterus (Broad-winged Hawk[?])
   9. Buteo swainsoni (Swainson's Hawk[?])
   10. Buteo magnirostris (Roadside Hawk)
   11. Buteo ridgwayi (Ridgway's Hawk)
   12. Buteo leucorrhous (White-rumped Hawk)
   13. Buteo brachyurus (Short-tailed Hawk)
   14. Buteo albigula (White-throated Hawk)
   15. Buteo albicaudatus (White-tailed Hawk)
   16. Buteo galapagoensis (Galapagos Hawk)
   17. Buteo polyosoma (Red-backed Hawk)
   18. Buteo poecilochrous (Puna Hawk)
   19. Buteo albonotatus (Zone-tailed Hawk)
   20. Buteo solitarius (Hawaiian Hawk)
   21. Buteo ventralis (Rufous-tailed Hawk)
   22. Buteo oreophilus (Mountain Buzzard)
   23. Buteo brachypterus (Madagascar Buzzard)
   24. Buteo hemilasius (Upland Buzzard)
   25. Buteo auguralis (Red-necked Buzzard)
   26. Buteo augur (Augur Buzzard)
   27. Buteo archeri (Archer's Buzzard)
   28. Buteo rufofuscus (Jackal Buzzard)
   29. Parabuteo unicinctus (Harris' Hawk)
   30. Buteogallus anthracinus (Common Black-hawk)
   31. Buteogallus subtilis (Mangrove Black-hawk)
   32. Buteogallus urubitinga (Great Black-hawk)
   33. Buteogallus aequinoctialis (Rufous crab-hawk)
   34. Buteogallus meridionalis (Savanna Hawk)
   35. Busarellus nigricollis (Black-collared Hawk)
   36. Leucopternis plumbea (Plumbeous Hawk)
   37. Leucopternis schistacea (Slate-coloured Hawk)
   38. Leucopternis princeps (Barred Hawk)
   39. Leucopternis melanops (Black-faced Hawk)
   40. Leucopternis kuhli (White-browed Hawk)
   41. Leucopternis lacernulata (White-necked Hawk)
   42. Leucopternis semiplumbea (Semiplumbeous Hawk)
   43. Leucopternis albicollis (White Hawk)
   44. Leucopternis occidentalis (Grey-backed Hawk)
   45. Leucopternis polionota (Mantled Hawk)
   46. Kaupifalco monogrammicus (Lizard Buzzard)
   47. Butastur rufipennis (Grasshopper Buzzard)
   48. Butastur teesa (White-eyed Buzzard)
   49. Butastur liventer (Rufous-winged Buzzard)
   50. Butastur indicus (Grey-faced Buzzard)
   51. Harpyhaliaetus coronatus (Crowned Eagle[?])
   52. Harpyhaliaetus solitarius (Solitary Eagle)
   53. Morphnus guianensis (Crested Eagle[?])
   54. Harpia harpyja (Harpy Eagle[?])
   55. Pithecophaga jefferyi (Philippine Eagle)
   56. Harpyopsis novaeguineae (New Guinea Eagle)
   57. Oroaetus isidori (Black-and-chestnut Eagle)
   58. Spizastur melanoleucus (Black-and-white hawk-eagle[?])
   59. Spizaetus africanus (Cassin's Hawk-eagle)
   60. Spizaetus cirrhatus (Changeable Hawk-eagle)
   61. Spizaetus nipalensis (Mountain Hawk-eagle)
   62. Spizaetus alboniger (Blyth's Hawk-eagle)
   63. Spizaetus bartelsi (Javan Hawk-eagle)
   64. Spizaetus lanceolatus (Sulawesi Hawk-eagle)
   65. Spizaetus philippensis (Philippine Hawk-eagle)
   66. Spizaetus nanus (Wallace's Hawk-eagle)
   67. Spizaetus tyrannus (Black Hawk-eagle)
   68. Spizaetus ornatus (Ornate Hawk-eagle)
   69. Lophaetus occipitalis (Long-crested Eagle[?])
   70. Stephanoaetus coronatus (Crowned Hawk-eagle)
   71. Polemaetus bellicosus (Martial Eagle[?])
   72. Hieraaetus fasciatus (Bonelli's Eagle[?])
   73. Hieraaetus pennatus (Booted Eagle[?])
   74. Hieraaetus spilogaster (African Hawk-eagle)
   75. Hieraaetus morphnoides (Little Eagle)
   76. Hieraaetus ayresii (Ayres' Hawk-eagle)
   77. Hieraaetus kienerii (Rufous-bellied Hawk-eagle)
   78. Aquila chrysaetos (Golden Eagle)
   79. Aquila heliaca (Imperial Eagle)
   80. Aquila nipalensis (Steppe Eagle[?])
   81. Aquila rapax (Tawny Eagle[?])
   82. Aquila clanga (Greater Spotted Eagle[?])
   83. Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle[?]
   84. Aquila verreauxii (Verreaux's Eagle[?])
   85. Aquila (heliaca) adalberti Imperial Eagle or Adalbert's Eagle
   86. Aquila gurneyi (Gurney's Eagle)
   87. Aquila wahlbergi (Wahlberg's Eagle)
   88. Aquila audax (Wedge-tailed Eagle)
   89. Ictinaetus malayensis (Black Eagle)
   90. Haliaeetus albicilla (White-tailed Eagle)
   91. Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Bald Eagle)
   92. Haliaeetus pelagicus (Steller's Sea-eagle[?])
   93. Haliaeetus vocifer (African Fish-eagle)
   94. Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea Eagle
   95. Haliaeetus sanfordi (Sanford's Fish-eagle)
   96. Haliaeetus vociferoides (Madagascar Fish-eagle)
   97. Haliaeetus leucoryphus (Pallas' Sea-eagle)
   98. Ichthyophaga humilis (Lesser Fish-eagle)
   99. Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus (Grey-headed Fish-eagle)
6. Subfamily Aegypiinae (Old World vultures)
   1. Sarcogyps calvus (Red-headed Vulture)
   2. Aegypius monachus (Eurasian Black Vulture or Monk Vulture)
   3. Torgos tracheliotus Lappet-faced Vulture
   4. Trigonoceps occipitalis (White-headed Vulture)
   5. Gyps fulvus (common Griffon Vulture)
   6. Gyps rueppellii Rüppell's Vulture or Rüppell's Griffon)
   7. Gyps himalayensis Himalayan Griffon Vulture
   8. Gyps coprotheres (Cape Griffon)
   9. Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture
   10. Gyps bengalensis Indian White-rumped Vulture
   11. Gyps indicus Long-billed Vulture
   12. Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture
   13. Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture
   14. Gymnohierax angolensis Palm Nut Vulture[?]
   15. Gypaetus barbatus (Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture)
7. Subfamily Circinae (harriers)
   1. Circus pygargus Montague's Harrier
   2. Circus cyaneus Northern Harrier
   3. Circus aeruginosus (Western Marsh Harrier
   4. Circus spilonotus (Eastern Marsh Harrier)
   5. Circus ranivorus (African Marsh-harrier)
   6. Circus approximans (Swamp Harrier)
   7. Circus maillardi (Madagascar Marsh-harrier)
   8. Circus buffoni (Long-winged Harrier)
   9. Circus assimilis (Spotted Harrier)
   10. Circus maurus (Black Harrier)
   11. Circus cinereus (Cinereous Harrier)
   12. Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier
   13. Circus melanoleucos (Pied Harrier)
   14. Polyboroides radiatus (Madagascar Harrier-hawk)
   15. Polyboroides typus (African Harrier-hawk)
   16. Geranospiza caerulescens (Crane Hawk)
8. Subfamily Circaetinae (snake-eagles[?])
   1. Terathopius ecaudatus (Bateleur[?])
   2. Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Eagle
   3. Circaetus pectoralis (Black-chested Snake-eagle)
   4. Circaetus cinereus (Brown Snake-eagle)
   5. Circaetus fasciolatus (Fasciated Snake-eagle)
   6. Circaetus cinerascens (Banded Snake-eagle)
   7. Spilornis cheela (Crested Serpent-eagle)
   8. Spilornis minimus (Nicobar Serpent-eagle)
   9. Spilornis kinabaluensis (Mountain Serpent-eagle)
   10. Spilornis rufipectus (Sulawesi Serpent-eagle)
   11. Spilornis holospilus (Philippine Serpent-eagle)
   12. Spilornis elgini (Andaman Serpent-eagle)

See also list of birds