Ryan Photographic - Accipitridae - Hawks,eagles, harriers and old world vultures

FamilyAccipitridae

The accipitrids are a diverse group, ranging in size from tiny sparrowhawks to the enormous cinerous vulture which is one of the heaviest flying birds. They all possess superb vision which, in some species, may be eight times more acute than in humans. They are found on all continents except Antarctica (an obvious, but familiar theme). While some, such as the Harpy Eagle, are massive, they don't quite approach the size of New Zealand's extinct Haast's eagle, Harpagornis moorei which is believed to have weighed up to 16.5 kgs.

In most accipitrids the females are significantly bigger then the males although this size differential is much less amongst those species which scavenge. Wikipedia provides more information here.

Accipiter rufitorques, Fijian goshawk

Accipiter rufitorques, Fijian goshawk near Sigatoka

Aegypius monachus Cinereous Vulture

Aegypius monachus BIRD 042 Cinereous Vulture

Aegypius monachus Cinereous Vulture BIRD 042

Aquila audax Wedge-tail eagle

Aquila audax) Wedge-tail eagle, captive, Australia IMG_3037

Aquila audax Wedge-tail eagle, captive, Australia IMG_3037

Circus approximans Marsh Harrier

Circus approximans, Marsh Harrier, Fiji, Viti Levu

Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle. This image has been manipulated to remove background wire. Captive, Denver Zoo.

Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied sea eagle

Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied sea eagle captive Brisbane, Australia-3057

Harpia harpyja Harpy eagle

Harpia harpyja Harpy eagle captive FWZ

Nisaetus cirrhatus, Crested hawk eagle

Nisaetus cirrhatus, Crested hawk eagle with egret prey Yala National Park, Sri Lanka 5P7A8803

Rostrhamus sociabilis Snail kite

Rostrhamus sociabilis Snail kite with snail, Georgetown, Guyana UD6A8898

Rostrhamus sociabilis Snail kite, Georgetown, Guyana UD6A8899

Rostrhamus sociabilis Snail kite with snail, Georgetown, Guyana UD6A8899

Spilornis cheela Crested serpent eagle

Spilornis cheela perplexus Crested serpent eagle

Spilornis cheela perplexus Crested serpent eagle, captive (obviously!) IMG_0049

Stephanoaetus coronatus Crowned eagle

Stephanoaetus coronatus Crowned eagle captive Ft Worth Zoo-8102