Accipiter

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Accipiter
Northern GoshawkAccipiter gentilis
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Accipiter
Brisson, 1760
Species

About 50, see text

The genus Accipiter is a group of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae, mostly consisting of birds known as Goshawks and Sparrowhawks.

These birds are slender with short broad rounded wings and a long tail which helps them maneuver in flight. They have long legs and long sharp talons used to kill their prey and a sharp hooked bill used in feeding. Females tend to be larger in size than males.

They often ambush their prey, capturing it after a short chase. They mainly eat small birds and mammals.

The typical flight pattern is a series of flaps followed by a short glide. They are commonly found in wooded or shrubby areas.

The full list of species is:

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