The order Accipitriformes contains the diurnal (active during the day) birds of prey: hawks, goshawks, eagles, kites, vultures, ospreys, secretary birds. These birds have sometimes been considered part of the Falconiformes which contains the falcons, but DNA evidence indicates the orders should be separate.

The Accipitridae family contains the hawks, goshawks, eagles, kites, Old World vultures. Subfamilies are often used to group related species, but the subfamiles for much of Accipitridae are in flux. They will be used here if there is agreement for their members.

This page contains species the goshawks, sparrowhawks, harriers, bazas, honey buzzards.


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Goshawks, Sparrowhawks

They are primarily woodland birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch, with long tails, broad wings and high visual acuity facilitating this lifestyle. [abstracted from Wikipedia]

Genus Accipiter
See also Genus Melierax for more Goshawks.

Goshawk, Brown  Accipiter fasciatus  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) Aviceda - Kurwongbah, SE Queensland, Australia  2) JJ - Tasmania, Australia


Goshawk, Grey  Accipiter novaehollandiae  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) David Cook - Springbrook National Park, Queensland, Australia  2) Aviceda - SE Queensland


Sparrowhawk, Collared  Accipiter cirrocephalus  Found: Australasia
Photographed by: Aviceda - Kobble Creek, SE Queensland, Australia



Genus Megatriorchis - 1 Species

Goshawk, Doria's Megatriorchis doriae Found: New Guinea
Photographed by: markaharper1




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Harriers and Harrier Hawks

Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, or birds. Most harriers are placed in the genus Circus, the scientific name arising from the circling movements female and male make when courting.

Genus Circus

Harrier, Spotted  Circus assimilis  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) Ms Voren   2) David Cook - Tuen, Queensland, Australia.


Harrier, Swamp  Circus approximans  Found: Australasia
Photographed by Richard Mowll - New Zealand




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Bazas and Honey Buzzards
These medium-sized species tend to favor warm climates.


Genus Aviceda

Baza, Pacific Aviceda subcristata     Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) Aviceda - Kobble Creek, SE Queensland, Austalia  2) Lip Kee Yap - Wulagi, Darwin, NT, AU