Accipitridae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Accipitridae Temporal range: Eocene - Recent 46 mya – present
Golden eagle about to land
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Accipitriformes
Family:	Accipitridae Vieillot, 1816
Subfamilies
Accipitrinae Aegypiinae Buteoninae Circaetinae Circinae Elaninae Milvinae Perninae

The Accipitridae are a big family of birds. They are part of a larger group called Accipitriformes. These birds are known as birds of prey because they hunt other animals.

This family includes many well-known birds. Think of hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. They are small to large birds. All of them have strong, hooked beaks. Their beaks help them catch and eat their food.

Accipitridae birds eat different things. Some hunt insects. Others catch medium-sized mammals. Some even eat carrion, which is dead animals. A few types of these birds eat fruit. You can find Accipitridae all over the world. They live on every continent except Antarctica. They also live on many islands. Some species even migrate, meaning they fly long distances each year.

Not all birds of prey belong to this family. For example, the osprey is in its own family. The secretary bird is also separate. And the New World vultures are usually considered a different family or order of birds.

Images for kids

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  Neophrontops americanus fossil

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  Neogyps errans fossil

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  A close-up of a young bald eagle. You can see its strong, hooked beak.

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  The palm-nut vulture is special. It mostly eats fruit, but also dead fish.

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  A Shikra bird (Accipiter badius) in Hyderabad, India.

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  An Oriental honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus).

See also

In Spanish: Accipítridos para niños