Birds of Prey

All About Raptors

More than 400 kinds of raptors are found throughout the world in a wide variety of habitats, including cities, grasslands, woodlands, jungles, mountains and ocean coasts. These birds of prey vary in size from the small Bornean Falconet (one ounce and less than six inches long), to the enormous Andean Condor (almost 30 pounds with a wingspan of more than 10 feet).

Raptors have fascinated people for centuries and play important roles in the environment. Read on to learn more about the remarkable raptors!

What are Raptors?

Raptors are members of a large group of birds called birds of prey. The word "raptor" is Latin for plunderer or one who takes by force. These carnivorous (flesh-eating) birds hunt and feed on smaller animals, including insects, spiders, fish, reptiles, other birds and mammals. Raptors are predators, and the animals they hunt are prey.

Who are the Birds of Prey?

Scientists divide the birds of prey into two major groups: those that hunt by day (diurnal) and those that hunt by night (nocturnal).

[Related: Learn more about the Bird of Prey show at Callaway Gardens.]

Diurnal Raptors

Five bird families form this large group of birds. The largest diurnal family is divided into five smaller subfamilies:

Kites are lightweight and graceful raptors that prey on large insects, reptiles and rodents. The endangered Snail Kite feeds only on apple snails.
Accipiters are hawks with long tails and short, rounded wings. They prey mainly on smaller birds. The Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Northern Goshawk are accipiters.
Harriers are slim hawks with long wings and long tails. The Northern Harrier is the only harrier found in North America. It hunts by flying close to the ground and taking small animals by surprise.
Buteos are large, thick-bodied hawks with broad wings and rounded tails. Rodents and rabbits are their main prey. Common buteos include the Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk.
Eagles are usually recognized by their large size, long wings and huge beaks. The endangered Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle are found in North America. The Bald Eagle feeds mainly on fish, and the Golden Eagle preys on small mammals. In 1782 the Bald Eagle was adopted as the national symbol of the United States.

The vultures and condors form a family of raptors that do not seize live prey. Instead, these heavy-bodied birds hunt and feed on carrion (dead animals). Their heads lack feathers and are covered only with skin. This family includes the Turkey Vulture, the Black Vulture and the endangered California Condor.

The Osprey is the only member of its family and can be found throughout the world. Also called "fish hawk," it plunges into water feet first to catch fish with its talons.

The Falcons and Caracaras are in the same family, although their appearances and behaviors are very different. Falcons are slim, hawk-like birds, with pointed wings and long tails. They prey on insects, spiders, other birds and rodents. Falcons include the common American Kestral and the endangered Peregrine Falcon. Caracaras are South American birds, sometimes found in Florida and the southwestern United States. They lack feathers on their faces and feed on carrion.

The Secretary Bird of Africa is the only surviving member of its family, which also includes two extinct species. It preys mainly on snakes.

Nocturnal Raptors Owls form the group of nocturnal raptors, hunting their prey at night, while other raptors are resting. These night hunters have excellent eyesight, sharp hearing and silent flight for catching midnight meals. More than 130 kinds of owls are found in the world, and 17 kinds live in North America. North American owls include the Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Screech Owl and Barn Owl. Two kinds of owls also hunt during the day: the arctic Snowy Owl and the Short-eared Owl of North America.

Raptor Adaptations

Raptors have unique adaptations that allow them to be successful hunters.

Skeleton

Hollow bones, with braces inside for support, make the bird's skeleton lightweight and strong.

Wings

Strong wings are big and broad for soaring, or short and stubby for flying through trees, or slender and pointed for speed.

Feathers

Birds have several kinds of feathers. Stiff contour feathers cover their bodies, wings and tails. Fluffy down feathers lie next to the skin for insulation. Filoplumes form crests and tall displays.

Eyes

Sharp eyesight lets birds of prey see about 10 times better than humans. Owls' eyes are adapted to see in dim light, almost 100 times better than we can. Three eyelids protect birds' eyes: an upper eyelid, a lower eyelid and a third eyelid called the nictitating membrane, which moistens and cleanses the eyes.

Ears Birds have small ear openings on each side of the head, just below and in back of the eyes. All raptors have excellent hearing, and owls have the sharpest hearing of all.

Beak

A raptor's beak is sharp, curved and powerful for grasping and eating prey. The size and shape of the beak depend on the size of the bird's prey.

Nostrils

Two nostrils for breathing are located on top of the upper beak. Most birds, including vultures, have a poorly developed sense of smell.

Muscles Powerful flight muscles are attached to the large breastbone. These muscles help the bird take off (even with prey), maneuver, hover and land.

Feet Most raptors have three toes pointed forward and one toe directed backward. Owls and ospreys have a reversible outer toe, which means they can turn it to the front or to the rear.

Talons

All raptors, except vultures, have long, curved, sharp talons (claws) for seizing live prey.

The Earth Needs Raptors Raptors have an important niche, or occupation, in the environment. By hunting and catching prey, they control populations of rodents and other animals that would otherwise become too large. Raptors also prey on weak and unhealthy animals. Vultures and Condors provide a valuable service as nature's "clean-up crews." Birds of prey are necessary to keep the earth in balance.

Raptors Need our Help!

All raptors are protected by state and federal laws. It is illegal to harm them or to keep them in captivity without special permits. Even with this protection, many raptors are declining in numbers, and some are listed as rare and endangered species. Loss of habitat, pollution, pesticides and illegal hunting are the main causes.

Raptor Population Restoration

Projects to restore raptor populations are under way in many states. Hacking is one popular method in which birds are raised in captivity with little or no human contact and then gradually are released into the wild. Several states have successfully hacked Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons and Barn Owls.