The order Falconiformes previously contained all diurnal birds of prey, including families Falconidae, Accipitridae, and Cathartidae. Genetic research has shown that the falcon family is not related to the accipitrids, and as a result the latter have been split into a separate order Accipitriformes.

The order Falconiformes sensu stricto is now monotypic, containing only the family Falconidae.

The position of the Cathartidae is uncertain: they may be included in Accipitriformes, Ciconiiformes (storks) or elsewhere.