
Structure of legs, feet and talons - based upon types of prey.Specialized feathers, wings and tails - speed, agility, soaring or stealth.
Vision - extreme acuity for diurnal or nocturnal vision. Family Cathartidae -New World (American) Vulturesīuzzards, Eagles, Harriers, and Old WorldĮvolutionary Specializations of Raptorial Birds. These two orders of birds are not closely related, but possess similarĬharacteristics because of similarities in the way they hunt. The Falconiforms are primarily diurnal (active during day light) the StrigiformesĪre primarily nocturnal (active at night). This order includes all the species of owls. Order: Strigiformes - meaning: "formed or shaped like screech owls". Order: Falconiformes - meaning: "Cycle-shaped- falcate" beaks and talons - these are all the falcons, hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, etc. Here is one classification system that splits the birds of prey into two mainīoth of these Orders have the two main specialized characteristics listedĪbove grasping feet with talons and hooked beaks. There are 287 known species of birds of prey and experts classify them in the different ways. Scientific Classification of Birds of Prey Hooked beaks for killing prey and eating flesh. Powerful feet with talons for grasping and killing prey. Main Characteristics of True Raptorial Birds: Raptors range in size from tiny Falconets (60 grams - 2.1 ounces) to large Eagles, Vultures and Condors that can weigh 7-9 Kilo-grams (15-20 lbs). The word "Raptor" comes from an old Latin word that means "to seize", "to #Birds of prey list of birds movie
Remember that birds of prey have been referred to as raptors long before the "Jurassic Park" movie introduced us to "Veloci-raptor".
Kingfishers, terns, gulls and herons eat fish, so how do we describe the true Birds of Prey are predatory birds, but most birds are predators.įor example, most small birds eat insects or feed insects to their nestlings.Įven hummingbirds eat small insects and spiders.