Hawk in Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Heb. netz, a word expressive of strong and rapid flight, and hence appropriate to the hawk). It is an unclean bird (Lev. 11:16; Deut. 14:15). It is common in Syria and surrounding countries. The Hebrew word includes various species of Falconidae, with special reference perhaps to the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the hobby (Hypotriorchis subbuteo), and the lesser kestrel (Tin, Cenchris). The kestrel remains all the year in Israel, but some ten or twelve other species are all migrants from the south. Of those summer visitors to Israel special mention may be made of the Falco sacer and the Falco lanarius. (See NIGHT-HAWK -T0002729.)