Posted by barbz on December 04, 2002 at 10:15:45:
It was written:
: I've been reading from some Falconers, that Accipters are Cooper's Hawk, Goshawk, and Sharp-sinned, and that Buteos are mainly just Eagles. However in the Peterson's Field guide to North American Birds of Prey, Buteos are basically all the hawks except the aforementioned Accipters, with Falcons being Peregrins
: Gyrfalcons, merlins and Kestrels. I've read elsewhere that kestrels and merlins are Accipters? Very confusing classifications, are they different? Biological versus Falconry terms for classifications for the birds?
: Elsewhere, GLFA calls eagles Buteos?
: Whats the real deal with classification of Birds of Prey?
There are four main families of birds of prey in the US.
Buteos are large, broadwinged hawks known for their soaring abilities.
They include the redtailed, redshouldered, broadwinged, and other hawks.
Falcons include the Gyrfalcon, peregrine, merlin, aplomado, and kestrel.
Accipiters include the goshawk, Coopers hawk, and sharpshinned hawk.
Ospreys have their own family.
Golden Eagles are Aquila, one representative in the US.
Bald Eagles are Haliaeetus, a family of fish eating eagles with relatives throughout the world.
Buteos are NOT eagles, but may be mistaken for them. Some European Aquila species are not much
bigger than our common redtailed hawk. The Aquila eagles have feathers right down to their toes,
where the buteos do not. Their leg feathers end at the heel of the tarsus.
Hope this helps!
