Raptors: Birds of Prey

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What are raptors? The Merriam-Webster online learner dictionary defines a raptor as a bird that kills and eats other animals for food. More commonly, they are predatory birds. Raptors have physical and behavioral characteristics that distinguish them from other birds. There are many different types of raptors, some that we can even see in the areas where we live.

Raptors are predatory birds that use their feet to capture their prey. Non-raptors use their beaks to capture prey. Their scientific classification is under the class Aves (birds), the subclass Neornithes (modern birds), and order Falconiformes (birds of prey) (seaworld.org). Raptors have extremely long range vision and most have a keen sense of smell to detect the animals they eat. Raptors claws are strong and have curved sharp talons which allow the birds to catch and hold their prey during flight. Once they have taken their prey back to a safe place to feed, their arched beaks with sharp edges tear apart the meat. All raptors have common eating habits.

Raptors main source of nourishment is meat. This includes fish, reptiles, small birds, insects and mammals. Raptors are omnivores eating both animals and plants. The fruits of plants, like wild berries, are the main type of plants they eat. Vultures are the only birds of prey that scavenge for food. All other raptors seek out live prey. Predatory birds usually hunt independently but sometimes hunt in groups to capture their prey easier (seaworld.org). A raptors body shape and wingspan help them in their fight to survive.

A raptors body shape helps them reduce air drag while flying. Their wingspans differ greatly: from broad wings that allow easy flight across open fields to short wings for quick m...

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