Family Accipitridae

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

20 species from the family Accipitridae.

Typical settings for this family#

Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2500–1/3200 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
Size30–100 cm

20 species#

Red-tailed Hawk Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalus Red-shouldered Hawk Red-shouldered HawkButeo lineatus Cooper's HawkAstur cooperii Northern Harrier Northern HarrierCircus hudsonius Swainson's HawkButeo swainsoni Broad-winged Hawk Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterus Mississippi Kite Mississippi KiteIctinia mississippiensis Sharp-shinned Hawk Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatus White-tailed Kite White-tailed KiteElanus leucurus Golden EagleAquila chrysaetos Gray HawkButeo plagiatus Roadside Hawk Roadside HawkRupornis magnirostris Harris's HawkParabuteo unicinctus Swallow-tailed Kite Swallow-tailed KiteElanoides forficatus Rough-legged Hawk Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopus Common Black Hawk Common Black HawkButeogallus anthracinus Ferruginous Hawk Ferruginous HawkButeo regalis Snail KiteRostrhamus sociabilis Short-tailed Hawk Short-tailed HawkButeo brachyurus

Field-craft#

  • Wintering eagles concentrate near open water and fish runs.
  • Shoot with the sun behind you to light the underwing.
  • For flight shots use wide-area tracking and +0.3 to +1 EV against bright sky.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources