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In a common but inaccurate way in which the raptors are classified, the order Accipitriformes includes most of the diurnal birds of prey: hawks, eagles, vultures, and many others: about 225 species in all. It is not used in classification schemes which regard the Falconidae (falcons and caracaras) as part of the same group as the Accipitridae (hawks, eagles and allies). Where the diurnal raptors are regarded as a single order, that order becomes known as Falconiformes and includes about 280 species. Where the falcons and their allies are judged sufficiently distinct to be regarded as an independent order, Falconiformes includes only the 60-odd Falconidae species, and the remaining families become part of Accipitriformes.
[edit] Order Accipitriformes
The traditional taxonomy is as follows:
- Family Cathartidae: New World vultures
- Family Pandionidae: Osprey
- Family Accipitridae: hawks, eagles, buzzards, Old World vultures, and allies
- Family Sagittaridae: Secretary Bird
The position of the Accipitridae is not in question. However, most authorities place the New World vultures in Ciconiiformes on the grounds that molecular, morpholological and behavioral evidence indicates that they are more closely related to the storks than to the Accipitridae. The Osprey shows a number of similarities to the Accipitridae and is often regarded as a member of that family. Alternatively, because it also shows a number of clear differences, it is placed in its own family, Pandionidae.