'/> Amazing Animals: Amazing Birds 4: The Raptors

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Amazing Birds 4: The Raptors

They may come in different sizes but watch out these birds are skillful hunters.

Birds of prey or Raptors are birds that primarily rely on their broad wings, strong beaks and talons, keen senses and good vision to hunt for prey. They may come in different sizes from the smallest (Elf owl) to the largest (Black Vulture). Below is the list of the amazing birds we call “Raptors”.

Eagles

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Eagles can be distinguish from other birds of prey mainly by their larger size, long broad wings, muscular legs, massive feet, heavier head and hooked beaks. Most eagles are larger than any other raptors except the vultures. Eagle vary in sizes; from the Spilornis serpent-eagles, which measures 45 cm long, to the 1-meter Harpy Eagle.

They build very large nests on high cliffs or tall trees and lay 1 – 3 eggs that have a green inside layer. There is an on-going debate on which is the largest eagle and this I have to say: The Steller’s sea eagle is the heaviest living eagle that can weigh from 15-20 lbs. The Philippine eagle (above photo) averaging a meter tall is the largest in terms of size. The Harpy eagle is the bulkiest in relation to it’s size and the golden eagle has the largest wingspan.

Falcons

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A small to medium-sized birds of prey with long pointed wings, falcons are known swift flyers that at times use fast flight to pursue their prey. Rather than building a nest, falcons occupy other birds’ old nests or lay their eggs on cliff ledges or in tree hollows. The Gyrfalcon (above photo) is the largest of all falcon species averaging 48 to 61 cm long, weighs between 805 to 1350 g and can have a wingspan from 110 to 130 cm.

Hawks

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True hawks are medium-sized birds of prey that usually are found in woodland; pursue their prey by sudden dashes from a hidden perch. Hawks use their long tails for soaring, tight steering, slow flight to catch its prey. They are widely regarded to have visual sharpness several times that of a normal human being.

The largest hawk, though it is a buteo is the Ferruginous Hawk (above photo), a large species with long broad wings. Adult males average from 51 to 66 cm, weigh from 998 to 2,041 g and with an average wingspan from 48 to 60 inches. Take note that females are larger than males.

Kites

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Kites are birds of prey with long wings and small, weak legs and feet. Most of their time are spend soaring and hunting for prey. They are commonly found in warmer portions of all continents. Among the common species of kites are: the snail kite (above photo) that grows to 48 cm long, the swallow-tailed kite that average about 60 cm long (though half of its length is credited to its long forked tail) and the white-tailed kite that averages from 38 to 43 cm long.

Osprey

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The Osprey is a fish-eating raptor that inhabits near bodies of water. It is found worldwide except Antarctica. This large bird with white head and deep brown underbody averages from 1.4–2 kilograms in weight, reaching 60 centimeters in length with a 150–180 centimeters wingspan. It is the only bird of prey whose outer toe is reversible, making it easy for it to grasp its prey with two toes in front and two behind. The Osprey’s diet consists almost exclusively of fish.

Owls

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Owls are solitary and nocturnal birds of prey consisting 200 extant species. They have soft feathers that enables them to fly soundlessly and have forward facing eyes that is useful in detecting prey. Owls do not build their nest and lay white and almost spherical eggs. The Elf owl is the smallest species of owl that average 13.5 cm long and weighs about 31 g. The largest owls are two of the eagle owls, the Eurasian Eagle Owl (above photo) and Blakiston’s Fish Owl, which may grow from 60-71 cm long and average 4.5 kg in weight.

Secretary Bird

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The Secretary Bird is the only species in the family Sagittariidae that is found in Sudan and South Africa. This raptor which has long legs with multiple feather crest on its head inhabits open grasslands and savannah.

Vultures

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Vultures are medium to large-sized carrion-eating raptors that are tailored to a diet of dead animals. They have heads either partly or fully devoid of feathers and weak feet with blunt talons. Vultures have long, broad wings that is useful for long distance soaring. Perhaps, the largest bird of prey is the Cinereous Vulture or Black Vulture that averages from 98 -110 cm long, weighs around 7-14 kg with a 250-300 cm wingspan.

Check out other Amazing Birds posts:

The World's Amazing Birds
The World's Amazing Birds 2
Amazing Birds 3

26 comments:

  1. Tweeted as per request on FBW. -carlatayao.com

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  2. Falcons are beautiful! The secretary bird seem so fierce..

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  3. The secretary bird is so fascinating! Amazing creations!

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  4. I really wanted to see a falcon for real. I just see them in TV. :(

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  5. this helps me a lot identifying brids they all look the same but knowing this informations are great! xx

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  6. These birds really do have distinct features that set them apart. I've learned something new today about different bird species thanks for this post!

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  7. These are really powerful birds and rely in their strength and instincts to hunt food.

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  8. I find eagles and falcons fierce! The way they hunt their pray is merciless! If they want something, they'll get them!

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  9. I think Eagles are very mysterious, that's the reason why though they might look tough and scary, they are one of the few birds i like... other than that, i like Big Bird... lol.

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  10. Ravenous! Another epic collection Papaleng. Thanks for posting this

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  11. good post and additional knowledge, i don't know the other birds posted here.

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  12. Wow. This blog post is highly insightful. Thanks for the information. :)

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  13. I am so into large winged birds. This post is something I really like reading.

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  14. I'm really amazed with the features of these birds. But as much as I'm afraid of anything that flies, I would definitely like to see a real life vulture or secretary bird.

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  15. The secretary bird wowed me! ;) I wanna see one.

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  16. What would these birds eat? I'm sure they don't only feed on worms and fish.

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  17. I didn't know that secretary bird exists ;) Cute photos!

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  18. another interesting list this time on birds! very informative too..

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  19. I've actually seen an owl hunt and make a kill at a nature park back in Malaysia. It was an amazing display of winged ninja-ism; the owl barely made a whisper swooping down! Beautiful but very deadly.

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  20. amazing different breed of birds! this is a good post, another additional knowledge comes in..

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  21. Owl is so cute and captivating one. I like how he captures his enemy.

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  22. predators of the skies... are such proud birds. amazing features and capabilities, powerful indeed. well they needed it to hunt for food. Yahweh bless.

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  23. SECRETARY BIRD??? This is my first time to hear about this kind of bird. I have to tell my daughters about it. Great info here papaleng..daming natututunan mga anak ko sa mga post mo...tnx

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  24. Today I learned that there are birds with the breed of KITES. Something new for me!

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  25. I also like the secretary bird, its wonderful structure and its look sure have this intimidating effect.

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  26. i love falcons, hawks and spec the eagles... hunters of their race.. :D

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