Raptor Information

Raptors are birds of prey-- top predators that occur in nearly every ecosystem on the planet. The term “birds of prey” can be a bit confusing. Many birds "prey" on a wide variety of other animals. Herons and egrets, for example, eat large amounts of fish and crabs. Songbirds eat enormous numbers of insects. We classify a raptor not by what it eats, but by its adaptations for hunting.

Raptors possess excellent eyesight that far surpasses ours, and even that of other birds. Raptors are skilled flyers, soaring effortlessly on thermals, reaching incredible speeds in a dive, and displaying supreme maneuverability in tight quarters.

Raptors have long legs and sharp claws, called talons, which allow them to catch and subdue their prey while keeping the struggling animal away from their eyes. In most raptors, the sharp, curved bill is used for tearing the flesh of their prey into bite size pieces after capture. The term “raptor” refers to all hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls. Raptors prey on a wide variety of animals including insects, rodents, lizards, snakes, birds, and occasionally, other raptors.