Bird of Prey Information

The list of birds of prey includes many of the types of birds that people enjoy seeing on a sight-seeing trip. Birds such as eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, and owls are all species of birds of prey. The birds are divided up into different classifications, as some of the birds only hunt at night and some only hunt during the day. They all contain a similar digestion system, and the females usually outgrow the males in size.

  1. Basics

    • Birds of prey (also known as raptors) are predators that capture prey with their feet rather than using their beak. The word "raptor" is from the Latin word "rapere" which means "to seize or take by force." They kill their prey with their talons (curved claw at the end of one of the toes) and bite into them with their beak. The beak is generally large, powerful and used for tearing or piercing flesh for eating.

    Species fact

    • With nearly 500 species of birds of prey on the planet, a wide range of sizes exists. According to Peregrinefund.org, the Elf Owl and pygmy falcons are two of the smallest birds of prey. The 30-lb. male Andean Condor is the largest raptor and has a wingspan of 11 feet.

    Diurnal and Nocturnal

    • The formal classification for birds of prey are divided into two types: the diurnal and nocturnal. The five classified families for the diurnal birds include Accipitridae (eagles, hawks, buzzards, harriers, kites and Old World Vultures), Pandionidae (the Osprey), Sagittariidae (the Secretary bird), Falconidae (falcons and caracaras), and Cathartidae (New World vultures including condors). Noturnal birds of prey are divided into two extant families of owls: Strigidae (normal owls) and Tytonidae (barn and bay owls).

    Raptors Digestion System

    • With the exception of owls, all other birds of prey have a crop that stores excess food. According to Peregrinefund.org, "the indigestible parts of the prey are formed into a pellet in the gizzard and regurgitated out of the mouth." The typical pellet will only hold the hair, feathers and exoskeletons of their prey. However, owls can't digest the bones, so their pellets contain bones too.

    Sexual Dimorphism

    • Known as sexual dimorphism, the majority of female birds of prey are physically larger and heavier than males. According to Peregrinefund.org, "The difference in size between raptors sexes increases as the prey's speed and agility increases." Since the female is larger and the male is aggressive, a mated pair of birds of prey have the ability to hunt a large variety of prey in their area.