Accipitridae

Accipitridae Temporal range: 50–0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Eocene to present[1]
Common buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Accipitriformes
Family:	Accipitridae Vieillot, 1816
Subfamilies
Elaninae Gypaetinae Perninae Aegypiinae Circaetinae Haliaeetinae Harpiinae Aquilinae Lophospizinae Harpaginae Melieraxinae Buteoninae Accipitrinae Circinae

The Accipitridae (/ˌæksɪˈpɪtrɪdiː, -deɪ/) is one of the three families within the order Accipitriformes,^[2] 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 255 species which are divided into 70 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^[3][4][5] indicate the accipitrids analysed are indeed a distinct monophyletic group.