Difference between revisions of "Hawk" - New World Encyclopedia

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==Overview and description==
 
==Overview and description==
===Accipitridae family===
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Hawks, [[eagle]]s, [[kite (bird)|kites]], [[harrier (bird)|harriers]], and [[Old World vulture]]s are all part of the Accipitridae family, one of two major families within the order [[Falconiformes]], the diurnal [[bird of prey|birds of prey]]. Most other raptors, but not all, belong to the [[Falconidae]], or falcon family. In addition to skeletal differences, accripitrids differ from members of the other raptorial family in having well-developed nest-building behavior (versus poor or absent), forceful squirting of excreta (versus dropping of excreta), and yellow, red, or hazel eyes (versus brown)(Olsen 2004). The [[beak]]s of accipitrids are strong and hooked, and the base of the upper mandible is covered by a fleshy membrane called the cere, which is usually yellow in color.  
The Accipitridae family, to which eagles belong, is one of the two major [[family (biology)|families]] within the [[order (biology)|order]] [[Falconiformes]] (the diurnal [[bird of prey|birds of prey]]). In addition to eagles, many well-known birds, such as [[hawk]]s, [[kite (bird)|kites]], [[harrier (bird)|harriers]], and [[Old World vulture]]s are included in this group. Most other raptors, but not all, belong to the [[Falconidae]], or falcon family. Accripitrids differ from members of the other raptorial family in several skeletal features, as well as having well-developed nest-building behavior (versus poor or absent), forceful squirting of excreta (versus dropping of excreta), and yellow, red, or hazel eyes (versus brown)(Olsen 2004).
 
  
 
[[Image:Harpy Eagle2.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The powerful [[harpy eagle]] can easily grab a monkey weighing 5 kilograms and fly away with it.]]
 
[[Image:Harpy Eagle2.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The powerful [[harpy eagle]] can easily grab a monkey weighing 5 kilograms and fly away with it.]]
The accipitrids have been variously divided into some 5 to 10 [[subfamily|subfamilies]]. Most of them share a very similar [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]], but many of these groups contain [[taxa]] that are more aberrant. These are placed in their respective position more for lack of better evidence than anything else. It is thus not very surprising that the [[phylogenetic]] layout of the accipitrids has always been a matter of dispute.  
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The accipitrids have been variously divided into some 2 to 10 [[subfamily|subfamilies]]. Olsen (2004) and ITIS (1999) recognize two subfamilies, Pandioniane (ospreys) and Accipitrinae (hawks, eagles, and allies). Where several subfamilies are recognized, some recognize Accipitrinae as limited to the genera whose members are known as hawks: ''Accipiter'', ''[[Micronisus]]'', ''Melierax'', ''[[Urotriorchis]]'', and ''[[Megatriorchis]]''.  
  
The Accipitridae are a diverse family with a great deal of variation in size and shape. They range in size from the tiny [[pearl kite]], which is 25 centimeters in length and weighs no more than 100 grams, to the Philippine eagle, which is 1 meter in length and which may weight up to 7 kilograms (Thiollay 1994).  
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The large and widespread genus ''Accipiter'', whose members sometimes are known as the "true hawks," includes [[goshawk]]s, [[sparrowhawk]]s, the [[sharp-shinned hawk]], and others. They are primarily [[woodland]] [[bird]]s that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch, with long tails, broad wings and high visual acuity facilitating this lifestyle.  
  
The [[beak]]s of accipitrids are strong, hooked (sometimes very hooked, as in the [[hook-billed kite]] or [[snail kite]]). In all accipitrids, the base of the upper mandible is covered by a fleshy membrane called the cere, which is usually yellow in color. The [[Tarsus (skeleton)|tarsi]] of different species vary by diet, those of bird hunting species like sparrowhawks are long and thin, while species that hunt large mammals have much thicker, stronger ones, and [[snake-eagle]] have thick scales to protect from bites.
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The genus ''Buteo'', which some place within Accipitrinae and some in the subfamily Buteoninae, includes medium-sized wide-ranging [[bird of prey|raptors]] with a robust body and broad wings. In the Old World, members of this genus are called "[[buzzard]]s", but "hawk" is used in [[North America]]. As both terms are ambiguous, "buteo" is sometimes used instead, such as by the [[Peregrine Fund]]. Examples of members of this genus with the name hawk in North America include the [[red-tailed hawk]] (''Buteo jamaicensis''), [[red-shouldered hawk]] (''Buteo lineatus''), [[broad-winged hawk]] (''Buteo platypterus''), [[Swainson's hawk]] (''Buteo swainsoni''), [[roadside hawk]] (''Buteo magnirostris''), and [[Ridgway's hawk]] (''Buteo ridgwayi'').
 
 
===Accipitrinae===
 
The '''Accipitrinae''' is the [[Family (biology)|subfamily]] of the Accipitridae often known as the "true" hawks, including all members of ''[[Accipiter]]'' and the closely related [[Genus|genera]] ''[[Melierax]]'', ''[[Urotriorchis]]'',  ''[[Erythrotriorchis]]'' and ''[[Megatriorchis]]''. The large and widespread genus ''Accipiter'' includes [[goshawk]]s, [[sparrowhawk]]s<!-- this is a link to a disambiguation page which contains an appropriate list —>, the [[Sharp-shinned Hawk]] and others. They are primarily [[woodland]] [[bird]]s that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch, with long tails, broad wings and high visual acuity facilitating this lifestyle. In light of recent [[Genetics|genetic research]], the [[Kite (bird)|kites]] of the traditional subfamily [[Milvinae]] may also belong to this group.
 
 
 
Hawks, including the accipitrines, are believed to have vision several times as sharp as that of the [[human]] species, in part because of the great number of [[photoreceptor]]s in their [[retina]]s (up to 1,000,000 per square mm, against 200,000 for humans), a very high number of [[Neuron|nerve]]s connecting the receptors to the [[brain]], and an indented [[fovea]], which magnifies the central portion of the [[visual field]].
 
 
 
 
 
===Hawks===
 
 
 
The large and widespread ''[[Accipiter]]'' genus includes [[goshawk]]s, [[sparrowhawk]]s <!-- this is a link to a disambiguation page which contains an appropriate list —>, the [[Sharp-shinned Hawk]] and others. These are mainly woodland birds with long tails and high visual acuity, hunting by sudden dashes from a concealed perch.
 
* More generally (especially in [[North America]]) to mean [[falcon]]s or small to medium-sized members of the [[Accipitridae]] - the family which includes the "true hawks" ([[Accipiter]]s) as well as [[eagle]]s, [[Kite (bird)|kite]]s, [[harrier (bird)|harrier]]s and [[Buteo|buzzard]]s.
 
* Loosely, to mean almost any [[bird of prey]] outside of the order [[Strigiformes]] (owls).
 
 
 
The common names of birds in various parts of the world often use ''hawk'' in the second sense. For example, the Osprey or "fish hawk"; or, in North America, the various ''Buteo'' species (e.g., the [[Red-tailed Hawk]], ''B. jamaicensis'').
 
 
 
''''Buteo''''' ([[Etymology]]: ''Buteo'' is the [[Latin]] name of the [[Common Buzzard]]) is a [[genus]] of  medium-sized wide-ranging [[bird of prey|raptors]] with a robust body and broad wings. In the Old World, members of this genus are called '''"[[buzzard]]s"''', but '''"[[hawk]]"''' is used in [[North America]]. As both terms are ambiguous, '''buteo''' is sometimes used instead, e.g., by the [[Peregrine Fund]].<ref>[http://www.peregrinefund.org/Explore_Raptors/hawks/buteos.html Buteos at the Peregrine Fund]</ref>* [[Red-tailed Hawk]], ''Buteo jamaicensis''
 
* [[Red-shouldered Hawk]], ''Buteo lineatus''
 
* [[Broad-winged Hawk]], ''Buteo platypterus''  
 
* [[Swainson's Hawk]], ''Buteo swainsoni''
 
* [[Roadside Hawk]], ''Buteo magnirostris''
 
* [[Ridgway's Hawk]], ''Buteo ridgwayi''
 
  
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Hawks, including the accipitrines, are believed to have vision several times as sharp as that of the [[human]] species, in part because of the great number of [[photoreceptor]]s in their [[retina]]s (up to 1,000,000 per square millimeter, against 200,000 for humans), a very high number of [[Neuron|nerve]]s connecting the receptors to the [[brain]], and an indented [[fovea]], which magnifies the central portion of the [[visual field]].
  
  
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* Olsen, P. 2004. Accipitridae. In B. Grzimek, D. G. Kleiman, V. Geist, and M. C. McDade, ''Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia.'' Detroit: Thomson-Gale. ISBN 0307394913.
 
* Olsen, P. 2004. Accipitridae. In B. Grzimek, D. G. Kleiman, V. Geist, and M. C. McDade, ''Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia.'' Detroit: Thomson-Gale. ISBN 0307394913.
 +
 +
<ref>[http://www.peregrinefund.org/Explore_Raptors/hawks/buteos.html Buteos at the Peregrine Fund]</ref>*
  
 
* Thiollay, J. M. 1994. Family Accipitridae (Hawks and Eagles). In J. del Hoyo, A. Elliot, and J. Sargatal, eds. ''Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 2: New World Vultures to Guineafowl''. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 8487334156.
 
* Thiollay, J. M. 1994. Family Accipitridae (Hawks and Eagles). In J. del Hoyo, A. Elliot, and J. Sargatal, eds. ''Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 2: New World Vultures to Guineafowl''. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 8487334156.

Revision as of 00:09, 2 October 2008

Hawks
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Subfamily: Accipitrinae
Genera
  • Accipiter
  • Micronisus
  • Melierax
  • Urotriorchis
  • Erythrotriorchis

Hawk is the common name for various small to medium-sized diurnal birds of prey in the family Accipitridae of the bird order Falconiformes, characterized by a short, hooked bill, curved and sharp talons, and keen vision, and smaller size than the eagles of the same family. More specifically, the "true hawks" are considered any of those long-tailed birds with short, rounded rings that comprise the Accipitridae genus Accipiter (goshawks and sparrowhawks) or sometimes those belonging to both Accipiter and Melierax (chanting goshawks) (Olsen 2004). Broader still, as used in Europe and Asia, the term hawk strictly refers to any of the species in the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis, or Megatriorchis, all of which belong to the Accipitrinae subfamily. However, the term hawk also is used as part of the common name for many other birds in the Falconiformes, such as many members in the genus Buteo (red-tailed hawk, B. jamaicensis).


In February 2005, Canadian ornithologist Louis Lefebvre announced a method of measuring avian "IQ" in terms of their innovation in feeding habits.[1] Hawks were named among the most intelligent birds based on his scale.

Hawks are widely reputed to have visual acuity several times that of a normal human being. This is due to the many photoreceptors in the retina (up to 1,000,000 per square mm for Buteo, against 200,000 for humans), an exceptional number of nerves connecting these receptors to the brain, and an indented fovea, which magnifies the central portion of the visual field.

Overview and description

Hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures are all part of the Accipitridae family, one of two major families within the order Falconiformes, the diurnal birds of prey. Most other raptors, but not all, belong to the Falconidae, or falcon family. In addition to skeletal differences, accripitrids differ from members of the other raptorial family in having well-developed nest-building behavior (versus poor or absent), forceful squirting of excreta (versus dropping of excreta), and yellow, red, or hazel eyes (versus brown)(Olsen 2004). The beaks of accipitrids are strong and hooked, and the base of the upper mandible is covered by a fleshy membrane called the cere, which is usually yellow in color.

File:Harpy Eagle2.JPG
The powerful harpy eagle can easily grab a monkey weighing 5 kilograms and fly away with it.

The accipitrids have been variously divided into some 2 to 10 subfamilies. Olsen (2004) and ITIS (1999) recognize two subfamilies, Pandioniane (ospreys) and Accipitrinae (hawks, eagles, and allies). Where several subfamilies are recognized, some recognize Accipitrinae as limited to the genera whose members are known as hawks: Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis.

The large and widespread genus Accipiter, whose members sometimes are known as the "true hawks," includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, the sharp-shinned hawk, and others. 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.

The genus Buteo, which some place within Accipitrinae and some in the subfamily Buteoninae, includes medium-sized wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings. In the Old World, members of this genus are called "buzzards", but "hawk" is used in North America. As both terms are ambiguous, "buteo" is sometimes used instead, such as by the Peregrine Fund. Examples of members of this genus with the name hawk in North America include the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus), Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), roadside hawk (Buteo magnirostris), and Ridgway's hawk (Buteo ridgwayi).

Hawks, including the accipitrines, are believed to have vision several times as sharp as that of the human species, in part because of the great number of photoreceptors in their retinas (up to 1,000,000 per square millimeter, against 200,000 for humans), a very high number of nerves connecting the receptors to the brain, and an indented fovea, which magnifies the central portion of the visual field.


Species list

This list is in taxonomic order to show the relationships between species.

  • Subfamily Accipitrinae
    • Genus Accipiter
      • Northern Goshawk, A. gentilis
      • Eurasian Sparrowhawk, A. nisus
      • Grey-bellied Goshawk, A. poliogaster
      • Crested Goshawk, A. trivirgatus
      • Sulawesi Goshawk, A. griseiceps
      • Red-chested Goshawk, A. toussenelii
      • African Goshawk, A. tachiro
      • Chinese Goshawk, A. soloensis
      • Frances's Sparrowhawk, A. francesii
      • Spot-tailed Goshawk, A. trinotatus
      • Grey Goshawk, A. novaehollandiae
      • Brown Goshawk, A. fasciatus
      • Pied Goshawk, A. albogularis
      • Fiji Goshawk, A. rufitorques
      • White-bellied Goshawk, A. haplochrous
      • Moluccan Goshawk, A. henicogrammus
      • Grey-headed Goshawk, A. poliocephalus
      • New Britain Goshawk, A. princeps
      • Henst's Goshawk, A. henstii
      • Meyer's Goshawk, A. meyerianus
      • Black Goshawk, A. melanoleucus
      • Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk, A. castanilius
      • Nicobar Sparrowhawk, A. butleri
      • Levant Sparrowhawk, A. brevipes
      • Slaty-mantled Sparrowhawk, A. luteoschistaceus
      • Imitator Sparrowhawk, A. imitator
      • Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, A. erythropus
      • Little Sparrowhawk, A. minullus
      • Japanese Sparrowhawk, A. gularis
      • Small Sparrowhawk, A. nanus
      • Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk, A. erythrauchen
      • Collared Sparrowhawk, A. cirrocephalus
      • New Britain Sparrowhawk, A. brachyurus
      • Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk, A. rhodogaster
      • Madagascar Sparrowhawk, A. madagascariensis
      • Ovampo Sparrowhawk, A. ovampensis
      • Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, A. rufiventris
      • Shikra, A. badius
      • Tiny Hawk, A. superciliosus
      • Semicollared Hawk, A. collaris
      • Sharp-shinned Hawk, A. striatus
      • White-breasted Hawk, A. chionogaster
      • Plain-breasted Hawk, A. ventralis
      • Rufous-thighed Hawk, A. erythronemius
      • Cooper's Hawk, A. cooperii
      • Gundlach's Hawk, A. gundlachi
      • Bicoloured Hawk, A. bicolor
      • Besra, A. virgatus
    • Genus Melierax
      • Gabar Goshawk, M. gabar
      • Dark Chanting Goshawk, M. metabates
      • Eastern Chanting Goshawk, M. poliopterus
      • Pale Chanting Goshawk, M. canorus
    • Genus Urotriorchis
      • Long-tailed Hawk, U. macrourus
    • Genus Erythrotriorchis
      • Red Goshawk, E. radiatus
      • Chestnut-shouldered Goshawk, E. buergersi
    • Genus Megatriorchis
      • Doria's Goshawk, M. doriae
  • Subfamily Buteoninae
    • Genus Parabuteo
      • Harris's Hawk, P. unicinctus
    • Genus Buteogallus
      • Common Black Hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus
      • Mangrove Black Hawk, Buteogallus subtilis
      • Great Black Hawk, Buteogallus urubitinga
      • Rufous crab Hawk, Buteogallus aequinoctialis
      • Savanna Hawk, Buteogallus meridionalis
    • Genus Busarellus
      • Black-collared Hawk, Busarellus nigricollis
    • Genus Leucopternis
      • Plumbeous Hawk, Leucopternis plumbea
      • Slate-coloured Hawk, Leucopternis schistacea
      • Barred Hawk, Leucopternis princeps
      • Black-faced Hawk, Leucopternis melanops
      • White-browed Hawk, Leucopternis kuhli
      • White-necked Hawk, Leucopternis lacernulata
      • Semiplumbeous Hawk, Leucopternis semiplumbea
      • White Hawk, Leucopternis albicollis
      • Grey-backed Hawk, Leucopternis occidentalis
      • Mantled Hawk, Leucopternis polionota
    • Genus Buteo
      • Common Buzzard, Buteo buteo
    • Cape Verde Buzzard, Buteo buteo bannermani
    • Madeira Buzzard, Buteo buteo harterti
    • Socotra Buzzard, Buteo buteo socotrae
    • Steppe Buzzard, Buteo buteo vulpinus
      • Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
      • Long-legged Buzzard, Buteo rufinus
      • Rough-legged Buzzard, Buteo lagopus
      • Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis
      • Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus
      • Broad-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus
      • Swainson's Hawk, Buteo swainsoni
      • Roadside Hawk, Buteo magnirostris
      • Ridgway's Hawk, Buteo ridgwayi
      • White-rumped Hawk, Buteo leucorrhous
      • Short-tailed Hawk, Buteo brachyurus
      • White-throated Hawk, Buteo albigula
      • White-tailed Hawk, Buteo albicaudatus
      • Galápagos Hawk, Buteo galapagoensis
      • Red-backed Hawk, Buteo polyosoma
      • Puna Hawk, Buteo poecilochrous
      • Grey-lined Hawk, Buteo nitidus - formerly in Asturina
        • Grey Hawk, Buteo nitidus plagiatus
      • Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus
      • Hawaiian Hawk, Buteo solitarius
      • Rufous-tailed Hawk, Buteo ventralis
      • Mountain Buzzard, Buteo oreophilus
      • Madagascar Buzzard, Buteo brachypterus
      • Upland Buzzard, Buteo hemilasius
      • Red-necked Buzzard, Buteo auguralis
      • Jackal Buzzard, Buteo rufofuscus
        • Archer's Buzzard, Buteo (rufofuscus) archeri
        • Augur Buzzard, Buteo (rufofuscus) augur

Hawks and humans

  • Hawks are sometimes used in falconry, a sport in which trained hawks, eagles or falcons, are used to pursue and catch small game.
  • In the US, hawks are sometimes shot for sport or by ranchers who believe the birds may depredate livestock. This makes hawk conservation an issue in some areas. In other parts of the world, most hawk species are protected by law

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 1998. Accipitridae Taxonomic Serial No.: 175280. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  • Olsen, P. 2004. Accipitridae. In B. Grzimek, D. G. Kleiman, V. Geist, and M. C. McDade, Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Detroit: Thomson-Gale. ISBN 0307394913.

[2]*

  • Thiollay, J. M. 1994. Family Accipitridae (Hawks and Eagles). In J. del Hoyo, A. Elliot, and J. Sargatal, eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 2: New World Vultures to Guineafowl. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 8487334156.

External links

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