Buteos, the group that many consider to be “classic” hawks-including Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Swainson’s Hawks-have a particular taste for small mammals. The element of surprise is important for all hunting birds, and some raptors rely on heightened senses to detect concealed prey. Peregrine Falcon stoops have been recorded at 200 mph and above, faster than any other animal in the world.īuilt with Super Senses. But the most spectacular of the falcon’s hunting techniques is the “stoop,” where they dive-bomb flying prey from above, often with the sun directly behind them. Sometimes they’ll fly low and fast, hoping to surprise their target before it has a chance to escape. Built for speed, falcons have long, pointed wings and plenty of power.

To capture their prey, falcons need to be very fast while also keeping the element of surprise. Birds, in other words, that have lots of room to escape. Peregrines and other large falcons feed frequently on open-country birds, such as ducks and pigeons. Photo: Bruno Struck/Audubon Photography Awards Every flap should be accompanied by a screaming guitar solo. If you’ve ever seen a Peregrine Falcon on the chase you know what I’m talking about. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive list, but it’s helpful to understand how the bodies of different raptors aid them on the hunt.īuilt for Speed. Falcons are the fastest flying birds on the planet, and arguably our most spectacular hunters. Each of these birds eats meat, but they all go after prey in a different way that requires specialized bodies to be as successful as possible. In the United States, these birds fall into a bunch of different groups: the buteos, accipiters, harriers, kites, eagles, falcons, vultures, caracaras, and the Osprey. There are other meat-eating birds out there: insect-eating nighthawks, fish-eating pelicans and herons, and of course owls, but I want to focus on the birds in the families Accipitradae and Falconidae, birds that a non-birder might look at and say, “Oh look, a hawk.” I want to focus on a certain set of raptors here: diurnal birds of prey with hooked bills, strong talons, and good eyesight. Indeed, each of these birds has evolved to become specially designed to exploit their chosen prey, and learning how the various groups of raptors are different from each other will help you learn to find and identify them in the field. However, though all raptors share a trait of self-evident coolness (I think so, anyway), they go about their business of finding food in very different ways. Meat-eating birds-hawks, falcons, kites, eagles, and others-are the “rebels” of the birding world, presiding boldly and without care over their territories while smaller creatures tremble and flee in their presence. The beginning birder doesn’t need a field guide to know that raptors are cool. Find Ways to Get Involved for Earth Month.AUDUBON BIRD GUIDE Search for Birds in Your Area.Visit Our Guide To North American Birds.Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging.The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.Birdist Rule #93: Understand How Different Raptors Are Built to Hunt Their Prey | Audubon Skip to main content

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