(Part of the) common name of many species of the family Accipitridae (Falconiformes, suborder Falcones) and in the plural the general term for the family. Apart from the vultures, the family is divided into several subfamilies: 1) the Accipitrinae (true hawks, including sparrowhawks, buzzards and eagles), 2) the Circaetinae (harrier eagles or snake- or serpent eagles), 3) the Circinae (harriers), 4) the Polyboroidinae (harrier-hawks), 5) the Milvinae (true kites and fish-eagles), 6) the Perninae (honey-buzzards, etc.), 7) the Elaninae (white-tailed kites), 8) the Machaerhamphinae (Bat-hawk, monotypic) and 9) the Pandioninae (Osprey or Fish-hawk, monotypic). For a short description of the different subfamilies, see the common names. In American usage the name 'hawk' is given to species of the Accipitridae which in British usage have a special group (subfamily) name, like harrier and buzzard, and is even applied to some species of the Falconidae family (falcons). Hawks range in size from minute sparrowhawks (Accipiter spp.) to huge eagles (e.g., Harpia spp.). As in almost all birds-of-prey, the female is larger than the male and she is often duller and browner in colour. As in all Falconiformes, hawks have a decurved and pointed bill, with the base covered by a cere (the fleshy covering of the first part of the upper-bill) in which the external nares are situated, and have powerful gripping feet with strong claws. Beside the carrion eating Old World vultures, they are hunters of live prey (with a few exceptions) of diurnal (being active during the day) habits. Most species breed in trees, although some eagles and buzzards breed on crags, where nests are built (or sometimes adopted) of sticks and twigs. The larger species can build huge structures to which they return every year. True hawks may be divided into several smaller groupings for convenience. First, the small to medium-sized hawks (genera Accipiter, Melierax and Urotriorchis) of swift flight, generally habitating woodlands (or dry bush-land) and preying upon birds, but sometimes also upon small mammals and reptiles, or insects (small sparrowhawks). Secondly, the large hawks (wing-spread 1-1.6 m) of soaring flight, inhabiting woodlands or open country, and preying mainly on mammals and reptiles caught on the ground, with birds as a side-line. This group also contains the buzzards. The third group consists of the very large birds-of-prey with a wingspan of 1.2-2.5 m and are generally called eagles.

Alternative forms for hawks : Accipiter, Elanus, hawk, kites, Milvus, sparrowhawks.