(Part of the) common name of many species of the Accipitridae family (order Falconiformes) and in the plural the general term for the family. The family includes such diverse forms as vultures (see 'vulture(s)'), sparrowhawks, buzzards, eagles, harrier eagles, snake- or serpent eagles, harriers, kites, fish-eagles and honey-buzzards. In American usage the name 'hawk' is given to species of the Accipitridae, or even applied to some species of the Falconidae family (falcons) which in British usage have a special group (subfamily) name, like harrier and buzzard. 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 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. The small to medium-sized hawks (genera Accipiter, Melierax and Urotriorchis) are 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); the larger hawks (wing-spread 1-1.6 m) have a soaring flight, inhabiting woodlands or open country, and prey mainly on mammals and reptiles caught on the ground, with birds as a side-line. This group also contains the buzzards. Very large birds-of-prey with a wingspan of 1.2-2.5 m are generally called eagles (see 'eagle(s)').

Alternative forms for hawks : hawk, kites, sparrowhawks.