The Kites, Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae) comprises 246 species of birds of prey. They are a family of small to large birds with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet. They feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and a few feeding on fruit. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, being found on all the world's continents (except Antarctica) and a number of oceanic island groups.

They can be divided into nine subfamilies:
-Elanine Kites (Elaninae)
-Bazas, Honey-Buzzards (Gypaetinae)
-Old World Vultures (Gypinae)
-Serpent Eagles (Circaetinae)
-Harpy Eagles (Harpiinae)
-Booted Eagles (Aquilinae)
-Double-toothed & Rufous-thighed Kite (Harpaginae)
-Buteos (Buteoninae)
-Accipiters & Harriers (Accipitrinae)

The Accipitridae are a diverse family with a great deal of variation in size and shape. They range in size from the tiny Pearl Kite and Little Sparrowhawk, both of which are 23 cm in length and weigh about 85 g, to the Cinereous Vulture, which measures 108 cm and weighs 10 kg. Until the 14th century even these were surpassed by the extinct Haast's Eagle of New Zealand, which is estimated to have weighed 14 kg.

The senses of the Accipitridae are adapted to hunting (or scavenging), and in particular their vision is legendary. The sight of some hawks and eagles is up to 8 times better than that of humans. Large eyes with two fovea provide binocular vision and a "hawk eye" for movement and distance judging. In addition have the largest pectens of any birds. The eyes are tube shaped and cannot move much in their sockets. In addition to excellent vision many species have excellent hearing, but unlike in owls sight is generally the principal sense used for hunting. Hearing may be used to locate prey hidden in vegetation, but sight is still used to catch the prey.

Accipitrids are predominately predators and most species actively hunt for their prey. A few species may opportunistically feed on fruit and in one species, the Palm-nut Vulture, it forms the major part of the diet. However other animals form the bulk of the diet of most species. Insects are taken exclusively by around 12 species, in great numbers by 44 additional species, and opportunistically by many others. The diet of the honey buzzards includes not only the adults and young of social insects such as wasps and bees, but the honey and combs from their nests. The Snail Kite and Hook-billed Kites are specialists in consuming snails. Bazas and forest hawks in the genus Accipiter may take reptiles from trees whilst other species hunt them on the ground. Snakes in particular are targeted by the snake eagles and serpent eagles.