Elements area
Taxonomy
Code
Scope note(s)
any of approximately 50 species of bird hawks (hawks that prey particularly on other birds) that make up the bird genus Accipiter, the largest genus of birds of prey, in the family Accipitridae. Sometimes accipiters are referred to as the “true” hawks. They have broad short wings and comparatively long legs and tail. They range in length from the little sparrowhawk (A. minullus) of Africa, at about 20 cm (about 7.9 inches) from bill tip to tail tip, which is slightly larger than a thrush, to the northern goshawk (A. gentilis), at about 60 cm (2 feet).
Source note(s)
Britannica Editors. "accipiter". Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Sep. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/animal/accipiter. Accessed 2 September 2026.
Display note(s)
Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 175299 https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=175299