The Accipitridae Family (sometimes known as Kites, Hawks and Eagles) is 1 of the 4 families in the order Accipitriformes which includes Accipitridae, Cathartidae, Sagittariidae and Pandionidae. These birds are diurnal raptors - they are active during the day and rest at night.
During this blog, we will look at the 12 of the members of this family who are regularly occurring species in Britain, their conservation stories, diets and more!
European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
As the name suggests, this bird specialises in feeding on bees and wasps making it unique: they have specially adapted scales on their legs to protect them from stings.
This raptor, however, isn't closely related to ‘true’ buzzards. Migrating from the UK to sub-Saharan Africa every autumn, this bird can cover up to 11,000km. According to the BTO , the UK breeding population is around 100-200 pairs however, this species is quite hard to monitor.
Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
The Red Kite is a magnificent bird with its very recognisable forked tail, reddish brown plumage and graceful flight. Although it was extinct in Scotland, England and Ireland by the 1870's, conservation efforts by RSPB and partners. have brought this bird back. Now, there are over 4,000 breeding pairs, a testament to successful conservation.
Red Kites are often seen gliding over farmlands and countryside feeding on small mammals and carrion. With a wingspan of around 1.8 metres, they are known for their buoyant flight and elegant gliding.
White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
As Europe's largest eagle, its wingspan can reach around 2.5 metres. Sometimes called “the flying barn door”, this bird primarily inhabits coastal areas and large inland water bodies. It hunts fish, seabirds and even waterfowl at times. This species has made a comeback through the reintroduction programs across Europe after being driven to extinction in the early 20th century: there are now over 100 breeding pairs in Scotland and some sightings in Southern England have increased! This was due to a new reintroduction project on the Isle of Wight.
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
The largest of the harriers, the Marsh Harrier thrives in reed beds and wetland habitats. Again, thanks to conservation habitats, the UK population has come from just a single breeding female in 1971 to over 4,000 breeding pairs today. With a preference of wetlands, the Marsh Harrier is often seen flying over low reed beds in search of small mammals, birds and amphibians.
Did you know that these birds are sexually dimorphic? The males and females display different colour patterns. The males have grey and black wings white the females are predominantly brown. They are identifiable with their long wings and tail, as well as its slow, deliberate wingbeats.
Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
The Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus, has become symbolic in the UK. The illegal persecution resulted in the relentless shooting and trapping of them on many grouse moors, despite being legally protected. People who illegally kill Hen Harriers on grouse moors are difficult to catch, due to the remoteness of the locations. This has resulted in us losing around 80% of these harriers. The Hen Harrier Action charity broadens awareness of the problems for nature in our uplands as well as to promote the annual Hen Harrier Day around the UK and online. These events inform about and celebrate the wildlife of the uplands and the problems it can face. They are also an occasion to raise our voices against the main reason for the hen harrier’s rarity – illegal persecution (www.henharrierday.uk, 2023).
Males have a grey-blue plumage with a white belly, rump and black wingtips while females have a brown plumage, a narrow white rump with barring on wings and tails. Females are sometimes referred to as ringtails due to their tail markings.
Hen Harriers are known for their impressive "sky-dancing" courtship displays, where males perform dramatic dives and loops to attract females.
Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)
This bird is a summer visitor to Europe, migrating from Africa, covering thousands of kilometres in their migratory cycle, to breed in open landscapes like heathlands and meadows. Its long wings and elegant flight make it surreal to watch in flight. However, Montagu’s Harrier is the UK’s rarest breeding bird of prey with a handful of nesting pairs (RSPB latest figures report only 3-4 pairs remaining). The males have a mainly blue-grey plumage with a smaller white rump than a male Hen Harrier. They also have 2 dark bars on the underwings and streaking on their belly. Females, on the other hand, have a brown plumage with darker barring on the wings and tail as well as streaking on their body (underparts) with a narrow white rump.
Unfortunately, this species is also facing population pressures due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices.
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
The Northern Goshawk, or the Goshawk, is a powerful predator specialising in hunting through dense forests. Their prey varies, from squirrels and hares to other birds. This secretive bird thrives in dense woodlands and its broad wings and long tail make it a powerful and agile hunter. However, once near extinction, Goshawks are now recovering with around 400-500 breeding pairs recorded by the BTO in forested areas in Wales and Scotland (primarily). Males are typically smaller than the females although their plumage is similar. This is a grey-brown plumage on its upperparts and a pale underparts with dark barring. They also have orange eyes, yellow legs and feet with a pale supercilium.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Although the Sparrowhawk is smaller than the Goshawk (wingspan of around 70 cm), this species is an expert hunter of small birds which makes up the bulk of their diet. They are known for their surprise attacks using hedges and buildings as cover to sneak up on their prey before a sudden burst of speed to capture it. They are commonly seen in woodlands using agility to surprise its prey. These birds are sexually dimorphic, with the females being larger than the males (almost twice the size). They are also a common sight in UK gardens where it hunts songbirds such as sparrows and finches.
The BTO estimated that there are around 40,000 breeding pairs in the UK.
Males have blue-grey upperparts, strongly barred underparts which are pale as well as reddish brown underwing coverts and body. The females have grey-brown upperparts with pale underparts with a fine, dark barring.
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
The Common Buzzard is one of the most widespread raptors in Europe with around 77,000 breeding pairs in the UK, according to the BTO. It's a versatile and adaptable predator often seen stooping over fields. It uses its keen eyesight to spot prey which includes small mammals, birds and carrion. Their plumage is variable however most male and female adults are brown overall with a finely barred breast. Extreme individuals range from all dark to virtually white.
It also has one of the most distinctive out of all of the raptors with a pee-ya sound repeated.
Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus)
The Rough-legged Buzzard is a winter visitor to parts of Europe, migrating from its breeding grounds of Tundra and Taiga habitats in North America. Compared to the Common Buzzard, Buteo buteo, this bird has feathered legs (which provide insulation against the cold Arctic winds), black-tipped white tail, paler appearance, longer wings and paler head. This bird preys on small mammals such as voles and lemmings found abundantly in their breeding range.
They have a distinctive hovering flight which is similar to a Kestrel allowing them to spot prey in open landscapes. Males have brown upperparts with a white tail which has a dark terminal band. They also appear pale except for the dark head, carpal patches, wingtips and a pale tail with 2 dark bands. Females are similar however, they have a dark belly and a single terminal band on their tail.
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
The Golden Eagle is one of the most iconic birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. It has an extensive range from mountainous regions to vast wildernesses, and is known for its strength and agility. Aquila chrysaetos is majestic. It hunts a variety of prey including rabbits, hares and even large mammals like deer. This bird has a wingspan of over 2 metres and is predominantly found in the Scottish Highlands where the BTO estimates there are around 500-600 breeding pairs. The males and females have a mainly dark brown plumage with golden-brown feathers on their head and neck. Their tail is dark tipped and barred.
Females are around 20-30% bigger than males.
Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Although this species belongs to the Pandionidae family, the Western Osprey (or Osprey) is often mentioned alongside this family. This fish eating raptor is known for its dramatic hunting style, diving feet first into water. They can dive from up to 40 metres to snatch fish into the water with their talons. According to the RSPB, the UK has around 300 breeding pairs thanks to reintroduction efforts. Ospreys travel from the UK to West African each winter covering thousands of kilometres during their migration.
Conservation efforts have been critical in protecting many of these species. Because of this, we get to see these Hawks and Eagles in our skies!
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