Hawk, any of various small to medium-sized accipitriform birds, particularly those in the genus Accipiter, known as the bird hawks or true hawks, and including the goshawks and sparrowhawks. The term hawk is often applied to other birds in the family Accipitridae and sometimes is extended to include certain members of the family Falconidae (falcons and caracaras).

Polihierax semitorquatus ♀ - National Zoological Park, DC - 10/10

DSC_9512 My only OK shot of threes even though I had more chances! ISO 2000 didn't make the image any better and focus locking on them proved difficult.

3D computer simulations reveal the fascinating physics of the peregrine falcon's most lethal move

Explore John Bakar - Johnnizam's 196 photos on Flickr!

There are six different species of falcons that can be found in the state of Virginia. These falcons are: American KestrelCrested