Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

About this episode

Ivan explores the diverse family of birds known as Accipitridae, discussing their key traits as formidable predators.

👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 134. Ivan takes on one of the most iconic bird families in the avian world: Accipitridae—the hawks, eagles, kites, buzzards, harriers, and Old World Vultures. It's a massive and diverse group with no good nickname, though Ivan has a few suggestions. The episode covers the key traits that make these birds such formidable predators—from their hooked bills and locking talons to the bony "brow ridge" that gives them their si...

People in this episode

Host: Ivan Phillipsen

Topics covered

• birds
• predators
• hawks
• eagles
• kites
• nature
• wildlife

Keywords

• hawks
• eagles
• kites
• predatory birds
• Accipitridae
• bird characteristics
• nature

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Accipitridae

More episodes of The Science of Birds

• Random Bird Thursday: An Alien-Eyed Mountaineer That Sounds Like a Jet · June 11, 2026 · 15 min
• From the Field: Birding Romania · May 17, 2026 · 41 min
• Random Bird Thursday: A Crepuscular Species That Is Not Actually Magical · April 30, 2026 · 19 min
• Rivers & Streams as Bird Habitat · April 22, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Random Bird Thursday: A Trans-Andean Ant-Follower with a Complex Social Life · April 9, 2026 · 26 min
• The Northern Flicker · April 5, 2026 · 56 min