American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)HAWK is a rather ambiguous term. Loosely, it can mean any bird of prey except owls. In North America it may mean falcons, eagles, kites, harriers, or buzzards. It has a more specific meaning in Europe and Asia.
RAPTORS are birds of prey. Known as hunters of the sky, all raptors have the following characteristics:
These two orders are divided into six families:
Order FALCONIFORMES (approx 285 species in 4 families):
Order STRIGIFORMES (approx 148 species in 2 families):
For the sake of this discussion, we will divide raptors into three genera: Buteos, Accipiters, and Falcons.
Buteos include the Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Rough-legged Hawk. Buteos are soaring hawks which have long, broad wings and wide fanned tails. They soar for long stretches without flapping their wings, gliding on air currents. They hunt unsuspecting prey from high perches such as trees or utility poles.
Accipiters include the Cooper's Hawk, Goshawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. They have short, round wings, and long rudder-like tails. These hawks typically live in forests. Their short wings and long tails allow them the agility needed to move quickly and chase birds, their favorite prey, through the dense trees. Accipiters sometimes soar like Buteos but more often they have a "flap-flap-soar" flying style.
Falcons include the American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and Merlin. Built for speed, Falcons are the fastest birds of prey. They have streamlined bodies and long, pointed wings which they most often flap continuously during flight. When hunting they also dive at a high rate of speed (stoop). Kestrel's can hover in place while hunting rodents and insects.
Now you know.
RAPTORS are birds of prey. Known as hunters of the sky, all raptors have the following characteristics:
-strong curved or hooked beakRaptors (birds of prey) belong to two scientific orders:
-strong, sharp talons
-keen eyesight
Strigiformes (owls - which are nocturnal birds of prey)
and
Falconiformes (diurnal birds of prey - those which are active during the day)
These two orders are divided into six families:
Order FALCONIFORMES (approx 285 species in 4 families):
Family Accipitridae (approx 230 species):Family Falconidae (approx 64 species):
- Old World Vultures (7 species)
- Hawks & Eagles (226 species)
Family Pandionidae (1 species):
- Falcons
Family Sagittariidae (1 species, in Africa):
- Osprey
- Secretary Bird
Order STRIGIFORMES (approx 148 species in 2 families):
Family Strigidae (approx 129 species):Family Tytonidae (approx 19 species):
- Typical owls such as the Great Horned, Screech, & Snowy Owls
- Barn Owls
- Masked Owls & relatives
For the sake of this discussion, we will divide raptors into three genera: Buteos, Accipiters, and Falcons.
Buteos include the Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Rough-legged Hawk. Buteos are soaring hawks which have long, broad wings and wide fanned tails. They soar for long stretches without flapping their wings, gliding on air currents. They hunt unsuspecting prey from high perches such as trees or utility poles.
Accipiters include the Cooper's Hawk, Goshawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. They have short, round wings, and long rudder-like tails. These hawks typically live in forests. Their short wings and long tails allow them the agility needed to move quickly and chase birds, their favorite prey, through the dense trees. Accipiters sometimes soar like Buteos but more often they have a "flap-flap-soar" flying style.
Falcons include the American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and Merlin. Built for speed, Falcons are the fastest birds of prey. They have streamlined bodies and long, pointed wings which they most often flap continuously during flight. When hunting they also dive at a high rate of speed (stoop). Kestrel's can hover in place while hunting rodents and insects.
Now you know.
No comments:
Post a Comment