Accipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles, and Allies)

Accipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles, and Allies)

Accipitriformes—birds of prey defined by power and precision—represent a group of raptors adapted for hunting, scavenging, and soaring across a wide range of landscapes. This order includes hawks, eagles, and related species, all sharing a common predatory structure and ecological role.

Despite variation in size and habitat, members of this order are unified by hooked bills for tearing flesh, strong grasping talons, and broad wings adapted for soaring or maneuvering flight.

In the field, these birds are often recognized first by silhouette and flight behavior, with identification refining through structure, habitat, and movement.

Orientation

These notes are organized by family, emphasizing comparison, behavior, and field recognition rather than a complete species list.

General Characteristics

• Structure: powerful legs and talons; strongly hooked bill; keen eyesight
• Flight: soaring and gliding are common; broad wings with steady, deliberate wingbeats
• Voice: generally infrequent; calls are often sharp, piercing, or high-pitched
• Behavior: predatory or scavenging; frequently observed perched while scanning or soaring overhead

Members of this order occupy woodlands, shorelines, wetlands, open country, and forest edges, often tied to areas with abundant prey or carrion.

Field Recognition

Birds in this order are often identified by a combination of:

• Movement: soaring, circling, or deliberate scanning from elevated perches
• Flight style: broad wings held flat or slightly raised; long glides with minimal flapping
• Posture: upright and alert when perched; heavy-bodied with a strong chest
• Voice: typically secondary to visual cues; calls are brief and not continuous
• Habitat context: proximity to water, open fields, or forest edges often helps narrow identification

In many cases, silhouette and flight behavior are more reliable than plumage alone, especially at distance.

Families

Accipitridae

Hawks, eagles, and kites—adaptable raptors ranging from forest hunters to open-country soarers.

Notes

• Raptors are often widely spaced, with individuals covering large territories
• Identification frequently occurs at distance, making shape and flight style critical
• Minnesota observations often center on lakes, rivers, and forest edges, where species like Bald Eagles and various hawks are most visible

References

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology – All About Birds
  https://www.allaboutbirds.org

• eBird
  https://ebird.org

• Birds of the World
  https://birdsoftheworld.org