Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey

  The term birds of prey or raptors are used to describe some large apex predatory birds that are distantly related but have some features in common. They have large strong curved talons to kill with and curved or hooked beaks used for tearing their prey into smaller pieces they can swallow. Most raptors hunt after mammals or other birds as they flying using their sharp vision. But not all raptor quite fit this description. Owls have great vision and powerful curved talons but hunt mostly at night. Vultures and condors are large birds with talons and hooked beaks but they eat carrion. Storks, herons, and cranes are large predatory birds but are excluded because they hunt for fish and other aquatic prey as they sit or wade through shallow water. With raptors it is common for females to be larger than males.