Hawk

Hawks are birds of prey that belong to the family Accipitridae. They can be found almost everywhere in the world, on every continent except Antarctica. These birds are known for their sharp vision and hunting skills.

There are different kinds of hawks. Some, like goshawks, sparrowhawks, and sharp-shinned hawks, live mainly in wooded areas.

In the United States, other birds called hawks belong to the Buteo group. These are often called buzzards in other parts of the world. They have broad wings and strong bodies, and they can fly long distances over open spaces.

All these birds are part of the same family, which also includes kites, harriers, and eagles. Sometimes, people use the word "hawk" for any small to medium bird in this family that isn’t an eagle. Even birds that aren’t technically hawks sometimes get called ones, like the osprey, or the peregrine falcon.

History

Falconry was once called "hawking." Any bird used for this activity could be called a hawk.

Ancient thinkers like Aristotle listed many types of hawks. Later, Pliny mentioned several kinds of hawks too.

Groups

Accipiterine group

Accipitrine hawks usually hunt other birds and are sometimes called "hen-hawks." They are also called "wood-hawks" because they live in woodland areas. Many of them are called "sparrowhawks" or "goshawks" because they hunt small birds like sparrows or large water birds like geese.

The subfamily Accipitrinae includes the genus Accipiter along with the genera Micronisus, Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. Melierax (chanting goshawk) might be part of this subfamily or in its own subfamily.

Erythrotriorchis (red- and chestnut-shouldered goshawk) is usually part of Accipitridae, but it might belong to a different group.

Buteonine group

The "Buteonine group" includes genera like Buteo, Parabuteo, Geranoetus, and most of Leucopternis. These birds are sometimes called "hawk-buzzards."

New proposed genera like Morphnarchus, Rupornis, and Pseudastur might be created from some members of Buteo and Leucopternis.

Members of the "Buteogallus group" are also called hawks, except for some solitary eagle species. Buteo is the main genus of the subfamily Buteoninae. This subfamily usually includes eagles and sea-eagles, but some scientists suggest putting them in separate subfamilies called Aquilinae and Haliaaetinae. This would leave only the buteonine hawks and buzzards in Buteoninae.

Characteristics

Hawks are very smart birds. A scientist found a way to measure how clever birds are. Hawks did very well on this test.

Hawks can see very well. Their special eyes help them spot things from far away. Some hawks can see very tiny details from a long distance. This helps them find food and stay safe.

Migration

Like most birds, hawks travel to different places in the autumn and spring. The autumn migration starts in August and ends in mid-December. Hawks leave at different times depending on how far they need to go. Those with longer distances leave earlier, while those with shorter distances leave later. Getting to their destination early helps hawks find mates, food, and good spots.

Many things affect a hawk’s journey. Hawks usually have more body fat when they start their trip, which helps them travel safely. The path they take is important because wind can push them off course or help them along. Hawks often avoid flying over large bodies of water to stay safe, choosing to fly around lakes or along coastlines instead.

Hawkwatching is an activity where people watch and record hawk migrations to help scientists learn more.

Habitat and distribution

See also: List of Accipitriformes by population

The red-tailed hawk is the most common hawk in North America. Hawks live in many places, but they like open areas such as deserts and fields so they can see their food. Because they are very flexible, hawks can also be found in mountains, tropical areas of Central America, the West Indies, and Jamaica.

Behavior

Parents feed their young hawks until the babies leave the nest. Young hawks can leave the nest as early as six weeks old, but they don't start hunting until later. Hawks catch their food with their sharp claws. They usually hunt just before nightfall.

Hawks fly by flapping their wings quickly and then gliding on the wind. Like many birds, hawks sometimes travel together in groups during migration. In the United States, a group of hawks is called a "kettle."

Reproduction

Hawks have special ways of finding a partner and having babies. Some hawks stay with one partner for their whole lives. Before they start their family, the male and female build a nest together.

Each year, a female hawk lays about five eggs. Both the male and female take care of the eggs for around a month until they hatch.

Main article:
reproduction
monogamous
eggs

Diet

Hawks eat many small animals they find on the ground, such as snakes, lizards, fish, mice, rabbits, squirrels, and birds. For example, red-shouldered hawks like to eat smaller birds like doves as well as bugs such as grasshoppers and crickets.

In culture

Further information: Falconry

The word war hawk, or just hawk, is used in politics for someone who supports war. This term began in the United States in 1810 during talks about a possible war with Great Britain. A congressman named John Randolph called a group led by Henry Clay the "war-hawks". People who oppose war or want peace are called doves.

Many sports teams use the hawk as a symbol, like the Atlanta Hawks, the Hawthorn Hawks, and the Malmö Redhawks. In 1997, the teams at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio changed their name to the RedHawks. The teams at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia also use the hawk as their symbol. The University of Iowa calls its teams the Hawkeyes, with Herky the Hawk as their mascot.

Hawks are linked to Guru Gobind Singh in the Sikh community. It is believed he had a white Northern Goshawk, which is why this bird is the symbol of Punjab, India.

In Korea, from early Joseon times, hawks and other birds of prey were connected to a government group. This shows values like bravery and fairness. Artists like Chŏng Hongnae painted hawks for royalty.