Accipitridae

Meet the Accipitridae Birds

Accipitridae is a big family of birds that includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds are found almost everywhere in the world, on every continent except Antarctica. They love to fly and can travel very far during migration.

These birds have strong, hooked beaks that help them catch food. They come in many shapes and sizes. Some are very small, like the pearl kite, while others are large, like the cinereous vulture. Their feathers are usually white, grey, brown, or black, often lighter on the belly to stay hidden.

Accipitridae birds eat many different things. Some like to eat insects, while others enjoy small mammals or even fruit. Eagles often hunt bigger animals like deer, and fish eagles love to catch fish. They use their strong talons to catch their food and their beaks to tear it apart.

These birds also have interesting family lives. Females are often larger than males, and pairs stay together for a long time. They build nests in tall trees or on cliffs. Most lay two to six eggs, and the babies grow quickly. After leaving home, young birds may travel for several years before finding their own mates.