Birds of Prey

Raptors, or birds of prey, can be distinguished from other birds by three characteristics: strong grasping feet equipped with sharp talons, a hooked upper beak and keen vision.

Raptors are called birds of prey because they hunt for their food. Some raptors hunt for and consume live animals while others scavenge carrion.

Raptors consist of two taxonomic orders of birds.  Daytime predators, Falconiformes, is comprised of falcons, hawks, eagles, vultures and related birds of prey.

The nightime hunters, Strigiformes is composed of owls which are adapted to hunt primarily at night.