The Accipitrinoe is a sub-family of the Falconidae family of birds, including the Goshawk and the Sparrowhawk. The beak is strong, short and curved from the base. The upper mandible bears a prominentfestoon beyond the middle. The nostrils are oval. The wings are rounded and short reaching only to the middle of the tail and the middle toe is much the longest. Research Accipitrinoe
The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a small falcon of the order Falconiformes, family Falconidae, with white cheeks and two black vertical cheek stripes. The male has a rusty back and tail, grey wings. The female is brownish. It forages for mice, lizards and insects by hovering above the ground, then diving for its prey. It occurs in many habitats, including borders of wetlands. Research American Kestrel
The Aquilinoe is a sub-family of the Falconidae family of birds including the eagle and osprey. The beak is stout, convex or slightly angular above, straight at the base and much hooked at the tip. The cere is bristly and the nostrils rounded or oval. The wings are long. Research Aquilinoe
The Butconinoe is a sub-family of the Falconidae family of birds including the Buzzard, characterised by a rather small and weak beak bending from the base. The cere is large and the nostrils oval. The wings are long but the tail is not forked like the Milvinoe. Research Butconinoe
Eagle is the name given to several large birds of prey of the sub-family Aquilinoe of the great family Falconidae, which includes the eagles, falcons, and hawks. The eagle is popularly, though erroneously, regarded as the noblest and most courageous of the rapacious birds. In fact, as the eagle swoops down silently on suspecting prey without warning, it is neither noble nor courageous. The eagle soars to a greater height than any other European bird, from which circumstance the ancients considered it as the bird or messenger of Jove.
The genusAquila which includes the most typical eagles, is distinguished by its long and powerful bill, the curve commencing at the cere, by its wings reaching to the tip of the tail, and by its tarsi being feathered to the toes.
The imperial eagle (Aquila imperialis) of Central Europe is probably the species to which the popular belief in the courage, strength, and nobleness of eagles is to be traced. Aquila chrysaetus, the golden eagle, is the chief British species. It measures over 180 cm (6 feet) from tip to tip of the expanded wings, and 240 cm (8 feet) from the beak to the end of the tail. The adults have the body brownish, becoming darker with age; the feathers of the head and neck pointed, and of a golden-red hue. This species is found all over the northern hemisphere. It was once common in the Highlands of Scotland, but started becoming rare in the 19th century. The Kirghis and other tribes of Central Asia use the golden eagle to kill antelopes, foxes, and even wolves.
Another British eagle is the erne or sea-eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) found near the sea-coast or lakes, and feeding largely on fish. The general colour is greyish-brown, the head pale-coloured, the tail white.
The bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus), found in North America and North-east Asia, is the symbol of the United States, though Franklin deplored the selection on account of the bald eagle's mean and dishonest habit of robbing the industrious osprey of the fish it has caught. Like all members of the genus his diet is less restricted than that of the true eagles; and he even takes carrion. Another eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the serpent eagle, Or short-toed eagle, ranges through Southern Europe, Asia, and especially North Africa. In structure and habits this bird approaches the buzzards. Research Eagle
Falconidae is the Falcon family of the Accipitres order of birds of prey. The beak is hooked and generally furnished with a sharp projection or tooth on each side. The head is wholly covered with feathers apart from the cere. The feet are strong and armed with curved, retractile, sharp talons.
The family includes the different species of eagles as well as the hawks and falcons properly so called, comprising the sub-families Buteoninae (buzzards), Polyborinae (caracaras), Aquilinae (eagles), Falconinae (falcons), Milvinae (kites), Accipitrinae (hawks), and Circinae (harriers). Research Falconidae
The Falconinae are the Merlin, Hobby and Kestril sub-family of the Falconidae family of birds. They are characterised by a short, strong beak curved from the base. The upper mandible is strongly toothed, the lower notched. The nostrils are round. The tarsi is short and strong. The wings are long and pointed, with the second primary longest, the first and third equal in length and having the inner web notched near the extremity. Research Falconinae
Felidae is the cat family of mammals of the order Carnivora (the carnivores) in which the predaceous instincts reach their highest development. They are among the quadrupeds what the Falconidae are among the birds. The teeth and claws are the principal instruments of the destructive energy in these animals. The incisor teeth are equal; the third tooth behind the large canine in either jaw is narrow and sharp, and these, the carnassial or sectorial teeth, work against each other like scissors in cutting flesh; the claws are sheathed and retractile. They all approach their prey stealthily, seize it with a spring, and devour it fresh. The species are numerous in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, but none are found native in Australia. Research Felidae
The kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) or Windhover is a small British bird of the falcon family Falconidae. The kestrel has brown plumage that is lightly barred with black, while the head, neck and tail are bluish grey. The kestrel generally eats mice and insects, though they will sometimes take small birds and chickens. When hunting the kestrel hovers almost motionless before swooping down on its prey. Research Kestrel
The Milvinoe is a sub-family of the Falconidae family of birds including the Kite. They are characterised by a moderate length beak, slightly curved from the base, the upper mandible bearing a slight festoon. The nostrils are oval and oblique, the wings long and the long tail is forked. Research Milvinoe
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Accipitrinoe
