Raptors: What Birds Are Birds of Prey?

Raptors, also called birds of prey, are birds that hunt and eat other animals. The word “raptor” comes from a Latin word meaning “to seize or snatch,” which fits these birds perfectly. They are built for hunting, with sharp talons, hooked beaks, and excellent eyesight. If you are trying to identify a raptor or just want to understand what makes a bird a raptor, this guide will walk you through the key groups and features.

What You’ll Need

• A field guide to birds of your region (book or app)
• Binoculars (optional but helpful for spotting details)
• A notebook or note-taking app to record what you see

Step-by-Step

1. Understand the basic definition. A raptor is a bird that has three main hunting tools: sharp, curved talons for grabbing prey; a hooked beak for tearing flesh; and keen eyesight to spot prey from a distance. Most raptors are active hunters, but some also scavenge.
2. Learn the main groups of raptors. Raptors are not a single scientific family but a collection of bird groups that share these hunting traits. The main groups are hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, buzzards, ospreys, falcons, vultures, owls, and sometimes secretary birds (in Africa).
3. Recognize hawks, eagles, and kites. These are daytime hunters with broad wings and sturdy bodies. Hawks (like the Red-tailed Hawk in North America) often perch and swoop down on prey. Eagles are larger, with heavy beaks and strong feet. Kites are more slender, with long wings and tails, and they often catch insects or small animals in flight. Buzzards are a type of hawk in Europe and Asia.
4. Identify harriers and the osprey. Harriers are slim hawks with long wings and a distinctive facial disc (like an owl’s face) that helps them hear small rodents. They often fly low over fields. The osprey is a specialized fish-eating raptor found worldwide near water. It has reversible outer toes and spiny foot pads to grip slippery fish.
5. Know the falcons. Falcons are fast, streamlined raptors with long, pointed wings. They include the Peregrine Falcon, which is famous for its high-speed dives, and the smaller American Kestrel. Falcons have a “tooth” on their beak for breaking prey necks, and they often catch birds in mid-air.
6. Include vultures and condors. Vultures are raptors that mostly eat carrion (dead animals). They have bald heads (to stay clean while feeding) and broad wings for soaring. New World vultures (like the Turkey Vulture) are found in the Americas, while Old World vultures (like the Griffon Vulture) live in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Condors are the largest vultures, found in the Americas.
7. Add owls to the list. Owls are nocturnal raptors. They have large, forward-facing eyes, a facial disc for hearing, and soft feathers that allow silent flight. They hunt mammals, birds, and insects at night. Some owls, like the Great Horned Owl, are powerful predators that can take prey larger than themselves.
8. Consider the secretary bird (if you are in Africa). This tall, long-legged bird is a raptor but looks more like a crane. It hunts on foot, stomping on snakes and insects with its strong legs. It is the only raptor that is primarily terrestrial.
9. Check the physical features when identifying. Look for the hooked beak, sharp talons, and large eyes. Also note the wing shape: broad and rounded for forest hawks, long and pointed for falcons, and very long and broad for soaring eagles and vultures.
10. Watch the behavior. Raptors often perch in open areas, soar in circles (called kettling), or hover while hunting. Owls are active at dusk or night. Vultures often gather in groups at carcasses. These behaviors can help you narrow down the type.

Common Mistakes

• Calling every bird of prey a “hawk.” Many people use “hawk” loosely, but falcons, eagles, vultures, and owls are distinct groups with different features and behaviors.
• Assuming all raptors are daytime hunters. Owls are raptors but are mostly nocturnal. Vultures are raptors but are mostly scavengers, not active hunters.
• Thinking vultures are not raptors because they eat dead animals. They are still birds of prey; they just have a different feeding strategy.
• Confusing a juvenile eagle with a hawk. Young eagles can look smaller and have mottled plumage, but they have larger beaks and feet than most hawks.
• Using size alone to identify. A small hawk might be the same size as a large falcon, so look at wing shape, tail shape, and behavior.

Tips

• Carry a field guide specific to your region, as raptor species vary widely by location.
• Look at the bird’s silhouette in flight: falcons have pointed wings, hawks have rounded wings, and vultures hold their wings in a shallow V.
• Notice the tail shape: many hawks have a fan-shaped tail, while falcons have a more tapered tail.
• Listen for calls: hawks often give a sharp “kee-eeer” call, while owls hoot or screech.
• Visit a wildlife rehabilitation center or a bird observatory to see raptors up close and learn from experts.
• Use a spotting scope if you are far away, but binoculars are usually enough.

Troubleshooting

• You see a bird but cannot tell if it is a raptor. Look for the hooked beak and talons. If it has a straight beak and perches with two toes forward and two back (like a woodpecker), it is not a raptor.
• You cannot tell a hawk from a falcon. Check the wings: falcons have long, pointed wings that look like a jet fighter’s, while hawks have broad, rounded wings. Falcons also have a faster, more direct flight.
• You see a large dark bird soaring and wonder if it is an eagle or a vulture. Look at the head: vultures have small, bare heads, while eagles have fully feathered heads. Also, vultures often rock side to side in flight, while eagles fly more steadily.
• You find a bird on the ground that looks like a raptor but is not flying. It might be a young bird that has fledged (left the nest) and is still learning to fly. Do not touch it; the parents are likely nearby. If it is injured, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.
• You think you saw an owl but it is daytime. Some owls are active during the day, especially in winter or when feeding young. Look for the flat face and large eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is a vulture a raptor? Yes, vultures are raptors because they are birds of prey, even though they mostly eat carrion. They have the same hooked beaks and talons, though their feet are weaker than those of active hunters.
• Are owls considered raptors? Yes, owls are raptors. They have the same hunting tools and are often grouped with other birds of prey in scientific classifications.
• What is the difference between a hawk and an eagle? Eagles are generally larger, with heavier beaks and feet, and they often soar on broad wings. Hawks are smaller and more agile, often perching and diving. But there is no strict scientific line; some large hawks are called buzzards in other countries.
• Can a raptor be a pet? In most places, it is illegal to keep native raptors as pets because they are protected by wildlife laws. Raptors require specialized care, large enclosures, and a diet of whole prey, which most people cannot provide. Falconry is a regulated activity that requires permits and training.
• Do all raptors have excellent eyesight? Yes, raptors generally have very sharp vision, often many times better than human vision. This helps them spot prey from high above. Owls also have excellent night vision and hearing.
• Why do some raptors have bald heads? Vultures and condors have bald heads to stay clean when they feed inside carcasses. Feathers would become matted with blood and bacteria, so a bare head is more hygienic.