Order Accipitriformes / Diurnal Birds of Prey

There are more than 9,000 different types of birds in the animal kingdom. Out of these, about 400 species of birds are called ‘Birds of Prey‘ meaning they hunt prey with their feet or feast on the flesh of dead animals. Birds of prey are also called ‘Raptors‘ derived from the Latin word ‘rapere‘ meaning “to seize“. Raptors kill their prey with their sharp talons and hooked beaks. Often they are also known as ‘Diurnal birds of prey‘ (i.e., day hunters).

One can always recognize a representative of this order by several traits:

• Birds in this order are diurnal (i.e., they are active during the day).
• These birds are usually medium to large-sized.
• They have a sharp, hooked beak with visible nostrils.
• These birds are known for their firm legs with massive sharp claws suitable for holding the prey and tearing it apart.
• Almost all Accipitriformes birds are carnivorous – they eat the meat of other animals.
• These birds typically have prominent, round eyes and hunt mainly by sight;
• These flying hunters have powerful and broad wings.