Threatened species of Accipitridae

Species of Accipitridae have been threatened due to a variety of reasons that include; direct persecution, incidental persecution (especially through the use of pesticides and poison laced carcases used as bait intended for other species) habitat loss and degradation, including the loss of prey species.

The family Accipitridae includes about 208 species native to all continents but Antarctica, as well as to many islands. Most members of this family are buteos or accipiters. Buteos, which include eagles, most hawks, and Old World vultures, generally soar in circles in search of ground-dwelling prey, which they then dive and pounce on (vultures feed on carrion). With their shorter, more rounded wings and longer tails, accipiters are better adapted to maneuvring, some species darting between trees, and may catch birds on the wing or ground prey.