Which birds are classified as falconiforms?

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Falconiforms (order Falconiformes) are a group of swift, predatory birds known as raptors. While historical classifications have grouped many birds of prey under this order, modern taxonomies often distinguish between falcons and other raptors, sometimes placing the latter in the order Accipitriformes.12

Birds traditionally associated with the falconiform group include:

  • Falcons1
  • Eagles1
  • Hawks (including accipiters)12
  • Vultures (including New World vultures)31
  • Ospreys31
  • Secretary birds31
  • Kites1
  • Buzzards1
  • Condors1
  • Caracaras1
  • Harriers1
  • Bateleurs1

These birds generally share features such as a hooked raptorial beak, powerful feet with hooked claws, and carnivorous habits. The order is often divided into three suborders based on eggshell characteristics: the Cathartae, the Accipitres (which includes the secretary bird and osprey), and the Falcones.3