Accipiter n : type genus of the family Accipitridae [syn: genus Accipiter]

English

Etymology

Circa 19th century: , from : hawk.

Pronunciation

• /ækˈsɪpɪtə/

Noun

1. A genus of rapacious birds; one of the Accipitres or Raptores.
2. A bandage applied over the nose, resembling the claw of a hawk

The genus Accipiter is a group of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae, mostly consisting of birds known as Goshawks and Sparrowhawks.

These birds are slender with short broad rounded wings and a long tail which helps them maneuver in flight. They have long legs and long sharp talons used to kill their prey and a sharp hooked bill used in feeding. Females tend to be larger in size than males.

They often ambush their prey, capturing it after a short chase. They mainly eat small birds and mammals.

The typical flight pattern is a series of flaps followed by a short glide. They are commonly found in wooded or shrubby areas.

The full list of species is:

• Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
• Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
• Grey-bellied Goshawk, Accipiter poliogaster
• Crested Goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus
• Sulawesi Goshawk, Accipiter griseiceps
• Red-chested Goshawk, Accipiter toussenelii
• African Goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
• Chinese Goshawk, Accipiter soloensis
• Frances's Sparrowhawk, Accipiter francesii
• Spot-tailed Goshawk, Accipiter trinotatus
• Grey Goshawk, Accipiter novaehollandiae
• Brown Goshawk, Accipiter fasciatus
• Black-mantled Goshawk, Accipiter melanochlamys
• Pied Goshawk, Accipiter albogularis
• Fiji Goshawk, Accipiter rufitorques
• White-bellied Goshawk, Accipiter haplochrous
• Moluccan Goshawk, Accipiter henicogrammus
• Grey-headed Goshawk, Accipiter poliocephalus
• New Britain Goshawk, Accipiter princeps
• Black Goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
• Henst's Goshawk, Accipiter henstii
• Meyer's Goshawk, Accipiter meyerianus
• Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk, Accipiter castanilius
• Nicobar Sparrowhawk, Accipiter butleri
• Levant Sparrowhawk, Accipiter brevipes
• Slaty-mantled Sparrowhawk, Accipiter luteoschistaceus
• Imitator Sparrowhawk, Accipiter imitator
• Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
• Little Sparrowhawk, Accipiter minullus
• Japanese Sparrowhawk, Accipiter gularis
• Small Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nanus
• Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythrauchen
• Collared Sparrowhawk, Accipiter cirrocephalus
• New Britain Sparrowhawk, Accipiter brachyurus
• Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Accipiter rhodogaster
• Madagascar Sparrowhawk, Accipiter madagascariensis
• Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Accipiter ovampensis
• Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, Accipiter rufiventris
• Shikra, Accipiter badius
• Tiny Hawk, Accipiter superciliosus
• Semicollared Hawk, Accipiter collaris
• Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus
• White-breasted Hawk, Accipiter chionogaster
• Plain-breasted Hawk, Accipiter ventralis
• Rufous-thighed Hawk, Accipiter erythronemius
• Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperii
• Gundlach's Hawk, Accipiter gundlachi
• Bicoloured Hawk, Accipiter bicolor
• Besra, Accipiter virgatus

External links & References

• Pictures of Accipiters and information about North American Accipiters