True hawk | |
---|---|
Sharp-shinned hawk | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Accipitriformes |
Family: | Accipitridae |
Subfamily: | Accipitrinae |
Genera | |
4 genera. See below. |
The Accipitrinae are the subfamily of the Accipitridae often known as the "true" hawks, including all members of Accipiter and the closely related genera Erythrotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread genus Accipiter includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, the sharp-shinned hawk and others. They are primarily woodland birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch, with long tails, broad wings and high visual acuity facilitating this lifestyle. In light of recent genetic research, the kites of the traditional subfamily Milvinae may also belong to this group.
Hawks, including the accipitrines, are believed to have vision several times sharper than
humans, in part because of the great number of
photoreceptor cells in their
retinas (up to 1,000,000 per square mm, against 200,000 for humans), a very high number of
nerves connecting the receptors to the
brain, and an indented
fovea, which magnifies the central portion of the
visual field.
Several genera or species formerly classified in this subfamily, such as Micronisus, Urotriorchis, Microspizias, and Circus, have since been moved out of Accipitrinae following phylogenetic studies. In contrast, other genera such as Lophospiza have since been reclassified into Accipitrinae. [1] [2]
Hawks are sometimes used in falconry, a sport in which trained birds of prey are flown at small game for sport.
True hawk | |
---|---|
Sharp-shinned hawk | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Accipitriformes |
Family: | Accipitridae |
Subfamily: | Accipitrinae |
Genera | |
4 genera. See below. |
The Accipitrinae are the subfamily of the Accipitridae often known as the "true" hawks, including all members of Accipiter and the closely related genera Erythrotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread genus Accipiter includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, the sharp-shinned hawk and others. They are primarily woodland birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch, with long tails, broad wings and high visual acuity facilitating this lifestyle. In light of recent genetic research, the kites of the traditional subfamily Milvinae may also belong to this group.
Hawks, including the accipitrines, are believed to have vision several times sharper than
humans, in part because of the great number of
photoreceptor cells in their
retinas (up to 1,000,000 per square mm, against 200,000 for humans), a very high number of
nerves connecting the receptors to the
brain, and an indented
fovea, which magnifies the central portion of the
visual field.
Several genera or species formerly classified in this subfamily, such as Micronisus, Urotriorchis, Microspizias, and Circus, have since been moved out of Accipitrinae following phylogenetic studies. In contrast, other genera such as Lophospiza have since been reclassified into Accipitrinae. [1] [2]
Hawks are sometimes used in falconry, a sport in which trained birds of prey are flown at small game for sport.