All About Raptors

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).

Raptor Diurnal.

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.

Eagles are usually recognized by their large size, long wings and huge beaks. The endangered Javan HawkEagle and the Sulawesi Hawk Eagle are found in Indonesia. The Hawk Eagle feeds mainly preys on small mammals. In 1945 the Javan Hawk Eagle was adopted as the national symbol of the Indonesia.

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.

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.