Hawks belong to the same order as the falcon , the New World vulture, and the osprey . Hawks have keen sight, sharply hooked bills, and powerful feet with curved talons. Strong and graceful in flight, they are distinguished from falcons by their broader, rounded wings. Typical of the hunting hawks, or accipiters, is the goshawk found in northern temperate regions, which feeds on small mammals and on other birds, riding its prey to the ground. The males of this group are usually smaller than the females.
All hawks regurgitate the indigestible portions of their prey as pellets.
Included in this group is the serpent eagle of Africa, which somersaults in its flight. True hawks are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Falconiformes, family Accipitridae.