There are around 450 species of raptors worldwide. In North America, we have about 30 common diurnal (active during the day) and 20 common nocturnal (active at night) raptors. Diurnal raptors include: eagles, hawks, falcons, kites, northern harriers, and osprey. Only owls are nocturnal raptors.

Bird Info Sheets

To find out more about each individual raptor, click on these links.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus)

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus)

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

American Kestrel

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)

What is Migration?

Twice a year, many raptors migrate. They spend the Spring and Summer in northern areas where they nest and rear young. During the winter, food supplies become scarce and the birds fly to more southern latitudes where food is more abundant. There they spend the Fall and Winter before returning to the North.

Many of the North American migrants will fly as far as Southern Mexico and parts of South America. Others find the southern United States suitable for over-wintering.

What Do They Eat?

Raptors are birds of prey that eat other animals. Their diet includes small mammals (mice, gophers, rabbits, etc.), fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Some will even chase after birds (including other raptors) and eat them. Many raptors will also eat insects they catch in mid-air.

Raptors are at the top of their food chain. When raptors eat prey that has been exposed to poisons, they can get sick and die. 

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