Editing Accipitridae (section)

== Systematics and phylogeny ==
In the past the accipitrids have been variously divided into some five to ten [[subfamily|subfamilies]]. Most share a very similar [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]], but many of these groups contain [[taxa]] that are more aberrant. These were placed in their respective position more for lack of better evidence than anything else. The [[phylogenetic]] layout of the accipitrids was historically a matter of dispute. Molecular studies have removed the phylogenetic uncertainty for most of the species.

The accipitrids are recognizable by a peculiar rearrangement of their [[chromosomes]].{{sfn|Nanda|Karl |Volobouev|Griffin |2006|ps=. "The karyotypes of most birds consist of a small number of macrochromosomes and numerous microchromosomes. Intriguingly, most accipitrids which include hawks, eagles, kites, and Old World vultures (Falconiformes) show a sharp contrast to this basic avian karyotype. They exhibit strikingly few microchromosomes and appear to have been drastically restructured during evolution."}} Apart from this, morphology and [[mtDNA]] [[cytochrome b|cytochrome ''b'']] [[DNA sequence|sequence]] data give a confusing picture of these birds' inter-relationships. The [[hawk]]s, [[kite (bird)|kite]]s, [[eagle]]s and [[Old World vultures]] as presently assigned in all likelihood do not form [[monophyletic]] groups.

The genus level [[cladogram]] of the Accipiridae shown below is based on a densely sampled [[molecular phylogenetic]] study of the Accipitridae by Therese Catanach and collaborators that was published in 2024.<ref name=catanach>{{Cite journal | last1=Catanach | first1=T.A. | last2=Halley | first2=M.R. | last3=Pirro | first3=S. | date=2024 | title=Enigmas no longer: using ultraconserved elements to place several unusual hawk taxa and address the non-monophyly of the genus ''Accipiter'' (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) | journal=Biological Journal of the Linnean Society | volume=144 | issue=2 | pages=blae028 | doi=10.1093/biolinnean/blae028}}</ref> The number of species in each genus is based on the list maintained by [[Frank Gill (ornithologist)|Frank Gill]], [[Pamela C. Rasmussen]] and David Donsker on behalf of the [[International Ornithological Committee]] (IOC).<ref name=ioc>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | editor3-last=Rasmussen | editor3-first=Pamela | editor3-link=Pamela C. Rasmussen | date=February 2025 | title=Hoatzin, New World vultures, Secretarybird, raptors | work=IOC World Bird List Version 15.1 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/raptors/| publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | access-date=21 March 2025 }}</ref>
{{Clade | style=font-size:80%;line-height:80%
|label1=Accipitridae
|1={{clade
   |label1=[[Elaninae]]
   |1={{clade
      |1=''[[Gampsonyx]]'' – pearl kite
      |2={{clade
         |1=''[[Chelictinia]]'' – scissor-tailed kite
         |2=''[[Elanus]]'' – kites (4 species)
         }}
      }}
   |2={{clade
      |1={{clade
         |label1=Polyboroidinae
         |1=''[[Polyboroides]]'' – harrier-hawks (2 species)
         |2={{clade
            |label1=[[Gypaetinae]] 
            |1={{clade
               |1=''[[Gypohierax]]'' – palm-nut vulture
               |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Neophron (bird)|Neophron]]'' – Egyptian vulture
                  |2=''[[Gypaetus]]'' – bearded vulture
                  }}
               }}
            |label2=[[Perninae]]
            |2={{clade
               |1=''[[Eutriorchis]]'' – Madagascar serpent eagle  (placement uncertain)
               |2={{clade
                  |1={{clade
                     |1=''[[Chondrohierax]]'' – kites (2 species)
                     |2=''[[Leptodon]]'' – kites (2 species)
                     }}
                  |2={{clade
                     |1=''[[Aviceda]]'' – bazas and cuckoo-hawks (5 species)
                     |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Pernis (bird)|Pernis]]'' – honey buzzards (4 species)
                        |2={{clade
                           |1=''[[Elanoides]]'' – swallow-tailed kite
                           |2={{clade
                              |1=''[[Hamirostra]]'' – black-breasted buzzard
                              |2={{clade
                                 |1=''[[Lophoictinia]]'' – square-tailed kite
                                 |2=''[[Henicopernis]]'' – honey buzzards (2 species)
                                 }}
                              }}
                           }}
                        }}
                     }}
                  }}
               }}
            }}
         }}
      |2={{clade
         |1={{clade
            |label1=[[Circaetinae]]
            |1={{clade
               |1=''[[Spilornis]]'' – serpent eagles (6 species)
               |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Pithecophaga]]'' – Philippine eagle
                  |2={{clade
                     |1=''[[Terathopius]]'' – Bateleur
                     |2=''[[Circaetus]]'' – snake eagles (7 species)
                     }}
                  }}
               }}
            |label2=[[Aegypiinae]]
            |2={{clade
               |1={{clade
                  |1=''[[Necrosyrtes]]'' –  hooded vulture
                  |2=''[[Gyps]]'' – vultures (8 species)
                  }}
               |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Sarcogyps]]'' – red-headed vulture
                  |2={{clade
                     |1=''[[Trigonoceps]]'' – white-headed vulture
                     |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Torgos]]'' – lappet-faced vulture
                        |2=''[[Aegypius]]'' – [[cinereous vulture]]
                        }}
                     }}
                  }}
               }}
            }}
         |2={{clade
            |label1=[[Aquilinae]]
            |1={{clade
               |1={{clade
                  |1=''[[Stephanoaetus]]'' – [[crowned eagle]] (placement uncertain)
                  |2=''[[Nisaetus]]'' – hawk-eagles (10 species)
                  }}
               |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Spizaetus]]'' – hawk-eagle (4 species)
                  |2={{clade
                     |1=''[[Lophotriorchis]]'' – rufous-bellied eagle
                     |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Polemaetus]]'' – martial eagle
                        |2={{clade
                           |1={{clade
                              |1=''[[Lophaetus]]'' – long-crested eagle
                              |2={{clade
                                 |1=''[[Ictinaetus]]'' – black eagle
                                 |2=''[[Clanga (bird)|Clanga]]'' – spotted eagles (3 species)
                                 }}
                              }}
                           |2={{clade
                              |1=''[[Hieraaetus]]'' – eagles (5 species)
                              |2=''[[Aquila (bird)|Aquila]]'' – eagles (11 species)
                              }}
                           }}
                        }}
                     }}
                  }} 
               }}
            |2={{clade
               |label1=[[Harpiinae]]
               |1={{clade
                  |1=''[[Harpyopsis]]'' – Papuan eagle
                  |2={{clade
                     |1=''[[Macheiramphus]]'' – bat hawk
                     |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Morphnus]]'' – crested eagle
                        |2=''[[Harpia]]'' – harpy eagle
                        }}
                     }}
                  }}
               |2={{clade
                  |label1=Lophospizinae
                  |1=''[[Lophospiza]]'' – goshawks (2 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
                  |2={{clade
                     |label1=[[Accipitrinae]]
                     |1={{clade
                        |1={{clade
                           |1=''[[Micronisus]]'' – gabar goshawk
                           |2={{clade
                              |1=''[[Urotriorchis]]'' – long-tailed hawk
                              |2=''[[Melierax]]'' – chanting goshawks (3 species)
                              }}
                            }}
                         |2={{clade
                            |1=''[[Kaupifalco]]'' – lizard buzzard
                            |2={{clade
                               |1={{clade
                                  |1=''[[Aerospiza]]'' – sparrowhawk, goshawk (2 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
                                  |2=''[[Tachyspiza]]'' – goshawks, sparrowhawks (27 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
                                  }}
                               |2={{clade
                                  |1=''[[Erythrotriorchis]]'' – goshawks (2 species)
                                  |2={{clade
                                     |1=''[[Accipiter]]'' – hawks, sparrowhawks (9 species)
                                     |2={{clade
                                        |1=''[[Astur (genus)|Astur]]'' – hawks, sparrowhawk, goshawks (9 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
                                        |2={{clade
                                           |1=''[[Megatriorchis]]'' – Doria's hawk
                                           |2=''[[Circus (bird)|Circus]]''  – harriers (16 species)
                                           }}
                                        }}
                                     }}
                                  }}
                               }}
                            }}                        
                        }}
                     |2={{clade
                        |label1=[[Harpaginae]]
                        |1={{clade
                           |1=''[[Microspizias]]'' – hawks (2 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
                           |2=''[[Harpagus (bird)|Harpagus]]'' – kites (2 species)
                           }}
                        |label2=[[Buteoninae]]
                        |2={{clade
                           |1={{clade
                              |1={{clade
                                 |1=''[[Milvus]]'' – kites (3 species - with split of yellow-billed)
                                 |2=''[[Haliastur]]'' – kites (2 species)
                                 }}
                              |2={{clade
                                 |1=''[[Haliaeetus]]'' – sea and fish eagles (4 species)
                                 |2=''[[Icthyophaga]]'' – sea and fish eagles (6 species)
                                 }}
                              }}
                           |2={{clade
                              |1=''[[Butastur]]'' – buzzards (4 species)
                              |2={{clade
                                 |1=''[[Ictinia]]'' – kites (2 species)
                                 |2={{clade
                                    |1={{clade
                                       |1=''[[Geranospiza]]'' – crane hawk
                                       |2={{clade
                                          |1=''[[Busarellus]]'' – black-collared hawk
                                          |2={{clade
                                             |1=''[[Rostrhamus]]'' – snail kite
                                             |2=''[[Helicolestes]]'' – slender-billed kite
                                             }}
                                          }}
                                       }}
                                    |2={{clade
                                       |1={{clade
                                          |1=''[[Morphnarchus]]'' – barred hawk
                                          |2={{clade
                                             |1=''[[Cryptoleucopteryx]]'' – plumbeous hawk
                                             |2=''[[Buteogallus]]'' – hawks and eagles (9 species)
                                             }}
                                          }}
                                       |2={{clade
                                          |1={{clade
                                             |1=''[[Rupornis]]'' – roadside hawk (placement uncertain)
                                             |2=''[[Parabuteo]]'' – hawks (2 species)
                                             }}
                                          |2={{clade
                                             |1={{clade
                                                |1=''[[Geranoaetus]]'' – hawks (3 species)
                                                |2=''[[Pseudastur]]'' – hawks (3 species)
                                                }}
                                             |2={{clade
                                                |1=''[[Leucopternis]]'' – hawks (3 species)
                                                |2=''[[Buteo]]'' – hawks and buzzards (28 species)
                                                }}
                                             }}
                                          }}
                                       }}
                                    }}
                                 }}
                              }}
                           }}
                        }}
                     }}
                  }}
               }}
            }}
         }}
      }}
   }}
}}

=== Taxonomy ===
The family contains 255 species that are divided in 12 subfamilies and 75 genera.<ref name=ioc/><ref name=catanach/>
{{Columns-list|colwidth=25em|
* [[Elaninae]]
** ''[[Gampsonyx]]'' – pearl kite
** ''[[Chelictinia]]'' – scissor-tailed kite
** ''[[Elanus]]'' – kites (4 species)
* [[Polyboroidinae]]
** ''[[Polyboroides]]'' – harrier-hawks (2 species)
* [[Gypaetinae]]
** ''[[Gypohierax]]'' – palm-nut vulture
** ''[[Neophron (bird)|Neophron]]'' – Egyptian vulture
** ''[[Gypaetus]]'' – bearded vulture
* [[Perninae]]
** ''[[Eutriorchis]]'' – Madagascar serpent eagle  (placement uncertain)
** ''[[Chondrohierax]]'' – kites (2 species)
** ''[[Leptodon]]'' – kites (2 species)
** ''[[Aviceda]]'' – bazas and cuckoo-hawks (5 species)
** ''[[Pernis (bird)|Pernis]]'' – honey buzzards (4 species)
** ''[[Elanoides]]'' – swallow-tailed kite
** ''[[Hamirostra]]'' – black-breasted buzzard
** ''[[Lophoictinia]]'' – square-tailed kite
** ''[[Henicopernis]]'' – honey buzzards (2 species)
* [[Circaetinae]]
** ''[[Spilornis]]'' – serpent eagles (6 species)
** ''[[Pithecophaga]]'' – Philippine eagle
** ''[[Terathopius]]'' – Bateleur
** ''[[Circaetus]]'' – snake eagles (7 species)
* [[Aegypiinae]]
** ''[[Necrosyrtes]]'' –  hooded vulture
** ''[[Gyps]]'' – vultures (8 species)
** ''[[Sarcogyps]]'' – red-headed vulture
** ''[[Trigonoceps]]'' – white-headed vulture
** ''[[Torgos]]'' – lappet-faced vulture
** ''[[Aegypius]]'' – [[cinereous vulture]]
* [[Aquilinae]]
** ''[[Stephanoaetus]]'' – [[crowned eagle]] (placement uncertain)
** ''[[Nisaetus]]'' – hawk-eagles (10 species)
** ''[[Spizaetus]]'' – hawk-eagle (4 species)
** ''[[Lophotriorchis]]'' – rufous-bellied eagle
** ''[[Polemaetus]]'' – martial eagle
** ''[[Lophaetus]]'' – long-crested eagle
** ''[[Ictinaetus]]'' – black eagle
** ''[[Clanga (bird)|Clanga]]'' – spotted eagles (3 species)
** ''[[Hieraaetus]]'' – eagles (5 species)
** ''[[Aquila (bird)|Aquila]]'' – eagles (11 species)
* [[Harpiinae]]
** ''[[Harpyopsis]]'' – Papuan eagle
** ''[[Macheiramphus]]'' – bat hawk
** ''[[Morphnus]]'' – crested eagle
** ''[[Harpia]]'' – harpy eagle
* [[Lophospizinae]]
** ''[[Lophospiza]]'' – goshawks (2 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
* [[Accipitrinae]]
** ''[[Micronisus]]'' – gabar goshawk
** ''[[Urotriorchis]]'' – long-tailed hawk
** ''[[Melierax]]'' – chanting goshawks (3 species)
** ''[[Kaupifalco]]'' – lizard buzzard
** ''[[Aerospiza]]'' – sparrowhawk, goshawk (2 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
** ''[[Tachyspiza]]'' – goshawks, sparrowhawks (27 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
** ''[[Erythrotriorchis]]'' – goshawks (2 species)
** ''[[Accipiter]]'' – hawks, sparrowhawks (9 species)
** ''[[Astur (genus)|Astur]]'' – hawks, sparrowhawk, goshawks (9 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
** ''[[Megatriorchis]]'' – Doria's hawk
** ''[[Circus (bird)|Circus]]''  – harriers (16 species)
* [[Harpaginae]]
** ''[[Microspizias]]'' – hawks (2 species, formerly in ''Accipiter'')
** ''[[Harpagus (bird)|Harpagus]]'' – kites (2 species)
* [[Buteoninae]]
** ''[[Milvus]]'' – kites (3 species - with split of yellow-billed)
** ''[[Haliastur]]'' – kites (2 species)
** ''[[Haliaeetus]]'' – sea and fish eagles (4 species)
** ''[[Icthyophaga]]'' – sea and fish eagles (6 species)
** ''[[Butastur]]'' – buzzards (4 species)
** ''[[Ictinia]]'' – kites (2 species)
** ''[[Geranospiza]]'' – crane hawk
** ''[[Busarellus]]'' – black-collared hawk
** ''[[Rostrhamus]]'' – snail kite
** ''[[Helicolestes]]'' – slender-billed kite
** ''[[Morphnarchus]]'' – barred hawk
** ''[[Cryptoleucopteryx]]'' – plumbeous hawk
** ''[[Buteogallus]]'' – hawks and eagles (9 species)
** ''[[Rupornis]]'' – roadside hawk (placement uncertain)
** ''[[Parabuteo]]'' – hawks (2 species)
** ''[[Geranoaetus]]'' – hawks (3 species)
** ''[[Pseudastur]]'' – hawks (3 species)
** ''[[Leucopternis]]'' – hawks (3 species)
** ''[[Buteo]]'' – hawks and buzzards (28 species)
* Extinct, placement with Buteoninae uncertain
** †''[[Bermuteo]]'' – Bermuda hawk
}}

=== Fossil record ===
[[File:Neophrontops americanus.jpg|thumb|upright|''Neophrontops americanus'' fossil]]
[[File:Neogyps errans.jpg|thumb|upright|''Neogyps errans'' fossil]]
As with most other birds of prey, the [[fossil]] record of this group is fairly complete from the latter [[Eocene]] onwards (c.35 [[mya (unit)|mya]]), with modern genera being well documented since the [[Early Oligocene]], or around 30 mya.
* ''[[Milvoides]]'' (Late Eocene of England)
* ''[[Aquilavus]]'' (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene – Early Miocene of France)<!-- authority may be Brodkorb 1964, not Lambrecht 1933, nomen nudum. But see Condor54:174 -->
* ''[[Palaeocircus]]'' (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of France)
* ''[[Aviraptor]]'' (Early Oligocene of [[Poland]])<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Gerald Mayr |author2=Jørn H. Hurum |year=2020 |title=A tiny, long-legged raptor from the early Oligocene of Poland may be the earliest bird-eating diurnal bird of prey |journal=The Science of Nature |volume=107 |issue=6 |pages=Article number 48 |doi=10.1007/s00114-020-01703-z| pmc=7544617  |pmid=33030604|bibcode=2020SciNa.107...48M |doi-access=free }}</ref>
* ''[[Palaeastur]]'' (Agate Fossil Beds, Early Miocene of Sioux County, US)<!-- Condor45:229 -->
* ''[[Pengana]]'' (Early Miocene of Riversleigh, Australia)
* ''[[Promilio]]'' (Agate Fossil Beds Early Miocene of Sioux County, US)
* ''[[Proictinia]]'' (Early – Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of C and SE US)<!-- BullAMNH48:483; Condor58:367 -->
* ''[[Neophrontops]]'' (Early/Middle Miocene – Late Pleistocene) – formerly in ''Neophron''<!-- sp. (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Lee Creek Mine, US), vetustus, dakotensis, americanus, slaughteri, vallecitoensis, ricardoensis Auk112:890; CaribbJSci40:120; Condor37:72; Condor41:153; Condor45:229; Condor79:494; Condor96:577 -->
* ''[[Mioaegypius]]'' (Xiacaowan Middle Miocene of Sihong, China)
* ''[[Apatosagittarius]]'' (Late Miocene of Nebraska, US)
* ''[[Gansugyps]]'' (Liushu Late Miocene of China)
* ''[[Palaeoborus]]'' (Miocene)<!-- Condor41:153 -->
* ''[[Qiluornis]]'' (Miocene of Shandong, China)
* ''[[Garganoaetus]]'' (Early Pliocene of Gargano Peninsula, Italy)
* ''[[Dynatoaetus]]'' (Pliocene – Pleistocene of [[South Australia]], [[Australia]])
* ''[[Amplibuteo]]'' (Late Pliocene of Peru – Late Pleistocene of southern North America and Cuba) – may belong to extant genus ''Harpyhaliaetus''<!-- Auk112:890; CaribbJSci40:120; Evolution38:1384 -->
* ''[[Neogyps]]''<!-- Pleistocene? Auk112:890; CaribbJSci40:120; Condor37:72; Condor41:153; Condor96:577 -->
* ''[[Palaeohierax]]'' – includes ''"Aquila" gervaisii''

Accipitrids are known since [[Early Eocene]] times, or about from 50 mya onwards, but these early remains are too fragmentary and/or [[Basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] to properly assign a place in the [[phylogeny]]. Likewise, molecular methods are of limited value in determining [[evolution]]ary relationships of and within the accipitrids. The group may have originated on either side of the [[Atlantic]], which during that time was only 60–80% its present width. As evidenced by fossils like ''[[Pengana]]'', some 25 mya, accipitrids in all likelihood rapidly acquired a global distribution, initially probably extending even to [[Antarctica]].

* Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Huerfano Early Eocene of Huerfano County, US)<ref name="Specimen-Cracraft1969" />
* Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Borgloon Early Oligocene of Hoogbutsel, Belgium)<ref name="Tarso-Smith2003" />
* Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Bathans Early/Middle Miocene of Otago, New Zealand)<ref name="ulna-Worthy-etal2006" />
* Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. MPEF-PV-2523 (Puerto Madryn Late Miocene of Estancia La Pastosa, Argentina)
* ''"Aquila" danana'' (Snake Creek Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Loup Fork, US) – formerly also ''Geranoaetus'' or ''Buteo''<!-- Auk50:212; Condor44:39 -->
* Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Pliocene of Kern County, US) – ''Parabuteo''?<ref name="tibia-Miller1931" />
* Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene of Ibiza, Mediterranean) – ''Buteo''?{{sfn|Alcover|1989}}
* Accipitridae gen. et sp. indet. (Egypt)

Specimen [[AMNH]] FR 2941, a left [[coracoid]] from the Late Eocene [[Irdin Manha Formation]] of Chimney Butte ([[Inner Mongolia]]), was initially assessed as a basal mid-sized buteonine;{{sfn|Wetmore|1934|p=}} it is today considered to be more likely to belong in the [[Gruiformes]] genus ''[[Eogrus]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=AMNH FR 2941 specimen information |publisher=[[American Museum of Natural History]] (AMNH) |year=2007 |url=http://paleo.amnh.org/search.php?action=detail&specimen_id=44309 |access-date=2011-05-26 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110613143813/http://paleo.amnh.org/search.php?action=detail&specimen_id=44309 |archive-date=13 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Early Oligocene]] genus ''[[Cruschedula]]'' was formerly thought to belong to [[Spheniscidae]], however reexamination of the holotype in 1943 resulted in the genus being placed in Accipitridae.<ref name="Simpson1946" /> Further examination in 1980 resulted in placement as Aves ''incertae sedis''.{{sfn|Olson|1985}}