Accipiter
Accipiter is a genus of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae. Some species are called sparrowhawks, though many sparrowhawks belong to other genera such as Tachyspiza. The name is Latin for 'hawk', from accipere, 'to grasp'.
- introduced_by
- Mathurin Jacques Brisson
- type_species
- Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
- current_species_count
- 9
- field
- Ornithology
- known_for
- Slender birds of prey with short, broad, rounded wings and long tail; females larger than males; ambush hunters of small birds and mammals
Lore & Background
Accipiter hawks are slender birds with short, broad, rounded wings and a long tail that aids maneuverability in flight. They have long legs and sharp talons for killing prey, and a sharp, hooked bill for feeding. Females tend to be larger than males. Their typical flight pattern is a series of flaps followed by a short glide. They are commonly found in wooded or shrubby areas and often ambush small birds and mammals after a short chase.
Reader's Guide
The genus Accipiter formerly contained around 50 species, but molecular phylogenetic studies found the traditional arrangement non-monophyletic. A densely sampled study of the Accipitridae in 2024 redefined generic boundaries to create monophyletic genera. Species were moved from Accipiter to five new or resurrected genera, leaving only 9 species in Accipiter. The genera Circus, Megatriorchis, and Erythrotriorchis were found to be nested within Accipiter; rather than subsuming them, species were moved to Aerospiza, Tachyspiza, and Astur. The procoracoid foramen, a hole in the coracoid bone, is generally present in birds of prey but absent in most Accipiter hawks studied, proposed as a diagnostic feature. This absence contrasts with variable presence in related genera such as Circus and Urotriorchis macrourus, which has a well-developed foramen suggesting separation from Accipiter.
Did You Know?
- The name Accipiter is Latin for 'hawk', from accipere, 'to grasp'.
- The procoracoid foramen is absent in most Accipiter hawks studied, proposed as a diagnostic feature.
- After a 2024 molecular study, only 9 species remain in Accipiter; many were moved to other genera.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Accipiter?
Accipiter is a genus of raptors within the family Accipitridae, formally introduced by the French ornithologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson. It groups together nine recognized species of small-to-medium birds of prey.
What do Accipiter birds look like?
Members of this genus are built slender, with short broad rounded wings and a characteristically long tail. They also show clear sexual dimorphism, as females are noticeably larger than males.
How many species are in the genus Accipiter?
There are nine currently recognized species. The Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) serves as the type species for the genus.
What does the name Accipiter actually mean?
The name derives from the Latin verb accipere, meaning 'to grasp,' and translates broadly as 'hawk.' It is worth noting that not every bird colloquially called a sparrowhawk belongs here; some are placed in other genera such as Tachyspiza.
How do Accipiter birds hunt?
They are ambush predators that target small birds and mammals. Their short, broad wings combined with a long tail give them exceptional maneuverability for striking prey within dense cover.
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