Hawks, Eagles and Kites Ardeidae
64 genera are recognized in this very large family, of which 12 are listed below. Of the 237 species, 9 are
critically endangered, 8 are
endangered, 25 are vulnerable, and another 28 species are near-threatened. Often referred to as
"raptors", they are found on every continent, except Antarctica.
Elanoides
This is the sole member of the genus.
Swallow-tailed Kites Elanoides forficatus are one of the most graceful of all raptors. They range from the southeastern USA, south to
eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Most birds of North and Central America migrate to South America for the winter. This bird was
one of many that I observed above Las Juntas de Abangares, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, June 2007.
Elanus
This is the sole member of the genus. The Letter-winged Kite Elanus scriptus of Australia is considered near-threatened.
White-tailed Kites Elanus leucurus were formerly lumped with the "Black-shouldered Kite" of Africa and Asia. Restricted to the New World,
they range from western and southern USA south to central Chile, and central Argentina. They hunt by hovering over open or cleared agricultural areas,
then dropping to the ground to catch their prey. Their diet consists of mainly mice and voles. At a distance, the white plumage could be mistaken for a tern,
or even a gull. As many as a 100 birds can be found on winter communal roosts. These birds were passing a mouse in mid-flight at the San Pedro River, near
Sierra Vista, Arizona, April 2006.
Rosthramus
This is the only member of the genus.
Snail Kite Rosthramus sociabilis at the Miccosukee Indian Reservation, Collier County, Florida, November 2009.
Ictinia
There are 2 members in this genus.
Mississippi Kites Ictinia mississippiensis breed in the southern United States from Arizona to Florida. They migrate south to
northern Argentina and Paraguay for the winter. They have the appearance of a falcon rather than a hawk. This individual was photographed at
Red Rock Canyon State Park, Hinton, Oklahoma, June 2008.
Haliaeetus
There are 8 species within this genus. The Madagascar Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vociferoides is
critically endangered. The Sanford's Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus sanfordi, Pallas's Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus, and
the Stellar's Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus are all considered vulnerable.
The Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus is the national bird of the USA. Officially declared an endangered species in 1967, the Bald Eagles
made a remarkable recovery and were delisted on June 28, 2007. They are found along coasts, rivers, and large bodies of water across much of North America,
and northwestern Mexico. These birds were photographed at Adak, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, May 2002.
Spilornis
There are 6 species within this genus. The Mountain Serpent-eagle Spilornis kinabaluensis is considered vulnerable
and the South Nicobar Serpent-eagle Spilornis klossi and Andaman Serpent-eagle Spilornis elgini
are both near-threatened.
Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela at Phu Khieo National Park, Thailand, January 2009.
Circus
There are 14 species in this genus. The Reunion Harrier Circus maillardi is endangered. The Madagascar
Harrier Circus macrosceles, and Black Harrier Circus maurus are vulnerable. The Cinereous
Harrier Circus macrourus is near-threatened.
Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus at Titchwell, Norfolk, England, June 2009.
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus near Arizona City, Arizona, November 2005.
Accipiter
There are 45 species, making this genus the largest in the family. The Gundlach's Hawk Accipiter gundlachi is
endangered. Another 4 species are vulnerable, and 6 more are near-threatened.
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, January 2009.
A juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus near Yuma, Arizona, February 2007.
Buteogallus
There are 5 species in this genus.
The Common Black-hawk Buteogallus anthracinus is found in the southwestern USA, south through Central America, to coastal northern
South America. They are migratory only in the extreme northern part of their range. The similar looking Mangrove Black-hawk Buteogallus
subtilis is considered to be a subspecies by some authors. This bird was one of two I observed near Sunflower, Arizona, April 2006.
Parabuteo
This is the sole member of the genus.
The Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus was formerly known as the "Bay-winged Hawk". This distinctive hawk is found in desert areas of
the southwestern USA, south to southern Argentina, and south-central Chile. They are social birds, and it is not unusual to find family groups of six or
more birds. Photographed at Tucson, Arizona, September 2003.
Buteo
There are 29 species within this genus, the second largest in the family. The Ridgway's Hawk Buteo ridgwayi, is
critically endangered. The Galapagos Hawk Buteo galapagoensis is vulnerable, and 3 more species are
near-threatened.
White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus about ten miles north off Raymondville, Texas, December 2009.
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus at Kendrick Park, near Flagstaff, Arizona, January 2005.
Eurasian Buzzard Buteo buteo at Handa Island, Highland, Scotland, June 2009.
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus near Bastop, Texas, May 2009.
Aquila
There are 12 species within this genus. The Indian Spotted Eagle Aquila hastata, Greater Spotted Eagle
Aquila clanga, Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti, and Eastern Imperial Eagle
Aquila heliaca are all vulnerable. The Gurney's Eagle Aquila gurneyi is
near-threatened.
The Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos is a wide ranging species that is found across much of the northern hemisphere. Athough they were heavily persecuted in Europe and
North America during the 19th century, there
numbers now seem to have stabilized across much of their former range. This wintering juvenile was
photographed near the Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona, December 2006.
NON-PASSERINES