Bird of prey

Birds of prey, also known as raptors, are special kinds of birds that hunt and eat other animals. These birds are very good at catching their food, which usually includes small mammals, reptiles, and even other birds. They have super sharp eyesight that helps them see their prey from far away, strong feet with sharp claws called talons to grab their food, and powerful curved beaks to tear flesh.

Many people think of birds of prey as only hunters, but some of them, like fish eagles, vultures, and condors, also eat animals that have already died. This is called scavenging. Ornithologists, who are scientists that study birds, use a more specific definition for birds of prey, so they don't include all birds that eat meat. This means birds like storks, cranes, herons, gulls, and some crows aren't usually called birds of prey, even though they might eat meat sometimes.

These amazing birds have lived on Earth for a very long time. Some ancient birds that are no longer alive also had sharp claws like modern birds of prey. Studying birds of prey helps us understand how birds have evolved and adapted to different environments over millions of years.

Common names

The word raptor comes from a Latin word meaning "to seize or take by force". Different birds of prey have many common names based on their looks.

• Eagles are large, strong birds with big wings and huge feet. Booted eagles have feathers covering their feet and build large nests.
• Falcons and kestrels are medium-sized, fast flyers with long, pointed wings. They belong to the Falconidae family.
• True hawks are medium-sized woodland birds that hunt from hidden spots and have long tails for turning quickly.
• Buzzards are strong, medium to large birds with broad wings. In North America, they are often called hawks.
• Harriers are slender birds with long tails and legs, hunting small animals over grasslands and marshes with their keen eyesight.
• Kites have long wings and weak legs, often soaring and eating insects or scraps.
• The osprey is a worldwide species that catches fish and builds large nests.
• Owls hunt at night, fly quietly, and have excellent night vision and hearing.
• The secretary bird is a large bird with long legs found in Africa's open grasslands.
• Vultures are scavengers that eat animals that have already died. There are two types: Old World vultures found in the Eastern Hemisphere, and New World vultures found in the Western Hemisphere. Both often have bare heads.

Systematics

The way scientists group birds of prey has changed over time. In the past, all birds of prey were put into one group. Now, they are split into different groups based on their features and habits.

Today, diurnal (day-active) birds of prey are placed in six families across two orders. These include hawks, eagles, buzzards, harriers, kites, Old World vultures, the osprey, the secretarybird, falcons, caracaras, forest falcons, and New World vultures such as condors. Nocturnal (night-active) birds of prey, the owls, are placed in two families: typical owls and barn and bay owls.

Possible inclusion of Cariamiformes

Cariamiformes is a group of birds that includes living seriemas and extinct terror birds. Some scientists think seriemas should be counted as birds of prey because they hunt other animals, just like hawks and eagles do. However, not everyone agrees, as seriemas look different from typical birds of prey with their long legs and necks. They used to be placed in a different bird group called Gruiformes, but new research moved them to Cariamiformes.

Migration

Birds of prey, also known as raptors, began migrating millions of years ago. The earliest migrations started nearly 14 to 12 million years back, making it one of the oldest known cases of bird migration. Many migratory raptors likely originated from the Southern Hemisphere, spreading later to other areas.

The way these birds migrate depends on where they live and what they eat. Recent studies show that the size of their nests and their hunting styles play big roles in shaping where they travel. Different regions, like the areas between Europe and Africa or between North and South America, have unique migration patterns due to natural barriers. Understanding these differences is important for protecting these amazing birds during their journeys.

Sexual dimorphism

Birds of prey, also called raptors, often show differences in size and appearance between males and females, known as sexual dimorphism. In many birds, males are larger, but in raptors, females are usually bigger. For example, in kestrels, a type of falcon, smaller males can hunt more easily and defend the nest, while larger females can take care of more chicks.

These size differences help the birds survive and reproduce better in their environments. Both males and females compete for good nesting spots and mates, which also influences these differences.

Olfaction

It was once thought that birds could not smell, but we now know many birds, including some birds of prey, have working smell systems. However, most raptors mainly depend on their excellent vision to find food, and much research has focused on how sharp their eyesight is. A review in 2020 looked at studies of their anatomy, genes, and behavior, showing that raptors likely use their sense of smell in various situations.

Persecution

Birds of prey have faced harm from humans for many years. In places like the Faroe Islands, hunters were rewarded for killing these birds. In Britain, birds like kites and buzzards were killed because they were thought to harm other birds that hunters liked. Similar rewards for killing birds of prey existed in the Netherlands too. In parts of Germany, very large numbers of these birds were killed between 1705 and 1800.

Some birds also become sick after eating animals that had lead shot in them. The lead can poison the birds and make them weaker or cause early deaths, even when they escape direct harm from hunting.

Attacks on humans

Some birds of prey have been known to attack humans, especially children. For example, there are reports of an African crowned eagle attacking a young boy, though he survived. Scientists have also found parts of a child’s skull in one of these eagles’ nests, suggesting they might sometimes see humans as prey. Other large birds, like cassowaries, have hurt people when defending themselves.

Fossils show that huge birds from long ago might have hunted early humans. For instance, the Taung Child, an ancient human child found in Africa, is thought to have been attacked by a large eagle-like bird. In New Zealand, the Haast's eagle could have hunted early humans, which matches stories from Maori folklore. Several other large extinct birds of prey could also have been dangerous to humans.

Vision

Birds of prey have incredibly sharp vision, which they use to find food, navigate, and stay safe. Their large eyes allow them to see details clearly from far away. Some, like eagles and Old World vultures, can see much better than humans.

These birds have special parts in their eyes called foveas that help them see clearly. They move their heads in different positions to get the best view of what they are looking at. This helps them spot prey from both close and far distances. While they see colors well, they don't see ultraviolet light as clearly, which helps keep their vision sharp.

Cultural significance

Birds of prey often have special meanings in many cultures. People have admired these birds for their strength and sharp vision. In stories and traditions, they sometimes represent power, clear sight, or freedom. Many cultures respect these birds and have included them in art, symbols, and even festivals.