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The
term hawk refers to birds of prey in any of three senses:
Strictly, to mean any of the species in the genera Accipiter,
Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis.
The widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks, sparrowhawks,
the Sharp-shinned Hawk and others. They are mainly woodland
birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch.
They usually have long tails and high visual acuity. More
generally, to mean small to medium-sized birds that are
members of the Accipitridae, the family which includes
the true hawks (Accipiters) and also eagles, kites, harriers,
buzzards, and Old World vultures. Loosely, to mean almost
any bird of prey. The common names of birds in various
parts of the world often use hawk loosely. For example,
in North America, the buzzards (Buteo) are often called
"hawks". The true hawks form the sub-family
Accipitrinae and most are in the genus Accipiter. |
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The
term hawk refers to birds of prey in any of three senses:
Strictly, to mean any of the species in the genera Accipiter,
Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis.
The widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks, sparrowhawks,
the Sharp-shinned Hawk and others. They are mainly woodland
birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch.
They usually have long tails and high visual acuity. More
generally, to mean small to medium-sized birds that are
members of the Accipitridae, the family which includes
the true hawks (Accipiters) and also eagles, kites, harriers,
buzzards, and Old World vultures. Loosely, to mean almost
any bird of prey. The common names of birds in various
parts of the world often use hawk loosely. |
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