Accipiters Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is an accipiter?
A genus of forest-dwelling “bird hawks” that are built for the close-quarters ambush, dash-and-catch strategy of mostly bird prey.
They are in the family Accipitridae.
What are the THREE species of accipiters found in North America?
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Northern Goshawk
There are 49 species of accipiters in the world.
What are the FOUR key SHAPE characteristics of the accipiter subgroup?
- Small- to medium-sized raptors, mostly on the medium-sized end of the size spectrum.
- Short, broad wings.
- Short “fingers” in the wings.
- Very long tail noticable in flight silhouette.
These shape characteristics have evolved to optimize these raptors’ maneuverability through forested environments.
What bird is this?
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Male
What bird is this?
Cooper’s Hawk
Female
(Tap on the play icon on the question card to listen to its call.)
What bird is this?
Cooper’s Hawk
Male
What bird is this?
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Female
What bird is this?
Cooper’s Hawk
Female
What bird is this?
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Male
