WHAT ARE RAPTORS/BIRDS OF PREY?
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Raptors are groups of wild, carnivorous birds. They prey on other animals--sometimes as small as insects and sometimes as large as deer!
Birds of prey have many identifying features and adaptations that fit their behavioral ecology. Binocular vision gives them depth perception during the hunt. Raptors' strong grasping feet with sharp talons allow them to swoop down, grab, and hold onto prey. Finally, their hooked upper beaks tear and kill prey from the ground or trees. Scientists classify raptors into orders and families based on Linnaean nomenclature. Birds of prey include: Kestrels, Eagles, Falcons, Harriers, Hawks, Kites, Owls, Ospreys, and Vultures. |
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HOW DO WE IDENTIFY RAPTORS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?
The good people at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology offer tips on identifying raptors. Here are the Orange County raptors:
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KESTRELSEAGLESFALCONSHARRIERS |
KITESHAWKS |
OWLSPISCIVOROUS RAPTORSVULTURES |
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