Hook bills, strong feet, sharply curved talons and large eyes, characterize birds of prey. Birds form the class Aves, birds of prey are in the order Falconiiformes which consists of 290 species. There are five families, Accipitridae, Pandionidae, Sagittariidae, Falconidae, and Cathartidae family.
Birds of prey, commonly called Raptors, can range in size from 5-6 in, for the Black-Thighed Falconet, to 45-58 in, for the Himalayan Griffon Gyps. Raptors can be found in almost any habitat, from the artic tundra to rainforests, arid deserts to damp marshland, and farmland to city. Raptor pairs tend to space out evenly, about 1/3 square mile for each pair. Some Raptors migrate, some are nomadic, and some will stay in the same spot year round. Most Raptors are monogamous, some are also polygamous and polyandrous. Almost all show some courtship displays. During breeding the male hunts while the female incubates the eggs.
Consists of seven species, including Turkey Vultures, king vultures, and Andean Condors. This Family is composed of large carrion feeders with broad wings, powerful bills, and brownish black plumage. They nest in hollows in trees or rocks and lay one to two eggs.
The Osprey are mainly coastal birds but many also breed around inland lakes and rivers. They feed almost exclusively on fish, and are able to close their nostrils inorder to dive into the water. Osprey build their nests on cliffs, in trees, or on the ground. They typically lay two to four eggs.
The Accipitridae Family is divided into nine subgroups. The first one contains the Honey Buzzards and Kites. There are thirty two species, with birds like the Bat Hawk, the Crested Baza and the Black Kite. These are medium to large birds. Their nests are made of sticks and rubbish and are found in trees. Honey Buzzards eat mainly grubs and nests of wasps they can lay between one and three eggs. Kites can be found in Mexico south to Argentina. They typically eat land snails or rodents and can lay between two to seven eggs.
Sea and Fish Eagles are characterized by broad wings, massive bills, and brown and white plumage. These birds typically nest on cliffs or in trees and lay one to two eggs. They eat anything from live fish to small animals and often steal prey from other birds. This group is made up of ten species, including the Bald Eagle, African Fish Eagle, and the White-Tailed Sea Eagle, for example.
Old World Vultures are scavengers that rarely kill prey. They are incapable of sustained flight, they depend on rising air currents to keep them aflight. Most have dark plumage with bare heads and necks, which is thought to reduce fouling of feathers when feeding. They make nests of sticks in trees or on cliffs and lay one to two eggs. Some of the birds that make up this group are the Lammergeier, the Ruppell’s Griffon and the Palm-Nut Vulture, there are fifteen species.
Snake Eagles have powerful feet and short rough toes that help the bird to grasp snakes and other reptiles. Most can be found in Africa, but some also live in Southern Europe and India. They build small nests in trees and lay only one egg. There are twelve species including the Bateleur and Crested Serpent-Eagle.
Harriers are slender, long winged and long legged hawks they typically fly low and slow over open country and drop on small reptiles, birds and mammals, some are polygynous. Characterized by grayish or black and white in males and brownish in females. They nest on the ground or in bushes and lay between three and six eggs. There are ten species including Hen Harriers and Marsh Harriers.
Sparrowhawks and goshawks are small to large birds with round wings, long tails and legs. The larger ones are powerful predetors of large birds and mammals up to the size of hares. While the smaller ones feed on insects and small birds. There are fifty three species containing the Gabar Goshawk and the Lizzard Buzzard.
Buzzards and Buteonines feed mainly on mammals and reptiles. They have long broad wings adapted for soaring. Typically have brown, rufous, black and white plumage. There are fifty five species including the Slate-Colored Hawk and the Savanna Hawk.
Booted Eagles are large birds with feathered leggs down to the top of their feet. They are active predators of mammals and ground dwelling birds. Nest typically in trees or cliff ledges and lay one to two eggs. There are thirty one species.
Only contains one bird, the Secretary bird. Secretary Birds forage for food on the ground. They have an eagle like appeance as well as mannerisms. They are large semi-terestrial birds mainly found in African grasslands.
The Caracaras are large birds with naked faces and deep, powerful bills. They are mainly carrion eaters with long legs and flat claws. There are nine species.
Falcons are small to medium birds with long pointed wings. They are highly aerial and most catch prey in midair. Falcons do not make nests, they use scrape on cliff edges or in tree cavities, they wil even take over nests of other birds. There are forty eight species of Falcons.
