Birds of prey with 3 left straps. Order Birds of Prey (Falconiformes). Falconry, birds of prey video

Feathered hunters, united by common features for capturing prey, are classified as predators. All have sharp eyesight, a powerful beak, and claws. Predator birds inhabit all continents except Antarctica.

In systematics, they do not form a taxonomic group, but they are always distinguished on the basis of a feature that unites them - the ability to carry out air attacks on mammals and birds. Large raptors catch young antelopes, monkeys, snakes, some species feed on fish and carrion.

The predatory units are:

hawks;
skopins;
falcons;
secretaries;
american vultures.

AT families of birds of prey includes species of owls and barn owls, which are characterized by nocturnal activity. The hawk community has the largest number of species, many of which live in Russia.

griffon vulture

The vulture lives in the southern part of Eurasia, North Africa. A large bird, weighing up to 10 kg, brown in color with a characteristic white collar of feathers. A distinctive feature is in finger-shaped wings, which exceed 2 m in span, and a square tail.

Long neck, curved beak adapted for butchering victims. Settles on sheer cliffs, not far from open landscapes for hunting in pastures. Looks out for prey from a great height, descends in spiral turns. The name "vulture" is given to the bird for the hoarse sounds that are especially heard during the mating season.

Golden eagle

It lives in the forest areas of Asia, America, Europe, Africa. The large size does not allow to go deep into the thickets, so it settles along the edges of dense forests, in copses. Hunts foxes, hares, roe deer, black grouse. The golden eagle has long been interested in hunters with birds of prey.

In flight, it uses warm air currents. The "openwork" silhouettes of the golden eagle are known, they can be observed during the mating season. Like many birds of prey, in the nest the older chick suppresses the younger one, sometimes eating it when there is a shortage of food.

Swamp (reed) harrier

The body of the moon is elongated. The bird has a long tail and high legs. The color of the male is brown-reddish, the tail and part of the wings are gray tones. The color of the plumage of the female is uniform, chocolate-colored, the throat is yellow. The bird is tied to damp areas with aquatic plants.

Reed harrier is found in Central Asia, Eastern Europe. In the diet, a significant part is occupied by mallards, snipes, corncrakes, quails. Many hunters are familiar with the sharp cries of harriers. Depending on climatic conditions, birds lead a sedentary, nomadic or migratory lifestyle.

meadow harrier

Birds of medium size, with pronounced sexual dimorphism. Males are grey, a black stripe running along the wing is remarkable, reddish streaks on the sides. The females are brown. They fly low and silently. Birds live in Eurasia, winter in the tropics of Africa, Asia. Feathered inhabitants of the meadows are common in Russia.

Birds of Prey of the Moscow Region, along with the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, they include meadow harrier patrolling lakes, forest-steppe areas. In flight, it describes large circles, looking for prey. In areas with a good food base, it forms groups of several dozen individuals.

field harrier

Birds are distinguished by a grayish-gray plumage of a noble shade, which has become the basis of a well-known comparison - gray as a harrier. On the wings, unlike the meadow harrier, there are no black stripes, only dark tips of feathers. Field harriers are unsurpassed masters of flight, in which they make sharp turns, make intricate turns, fall sharply and soar, somersault.

The prey is taken by surprise. The habitat covers wide areas of central and northern Europe, Asia, and America. In the south of the range they lead a sedentary life, in the north, in the forest-tundra zone, migratory.

Bearded man (lamb)

A large predator that does not have non-feathered areas on the neck, chest, head, like other vultures. The beak is decorated with hard feathers, similar to a beard. The cream color of the upper body turns into a reddish-red hue in the lower half.

The wings are very dark. It feeds mainly on carrion, but young and weakened animals become prey. The bearded man throws carcasses from the rocks to break large bones. They are found in hard-to-reach places in the mountainous regions of southern Eurasia and Africa.

snake-eater

Migratory birds of medium size. The specialization of snake-eaters is manifested in the destruction of reptiles. Feathered predators have a large head, yellow eyes, and very wide wings. Color gray shades, striped tail.

They live in Europe, winter in the tropics of Africa. They prefer forest zones with alternating open edges, sunny slopes. In flight, they hover in one place, looking for prey. Durable scales on the paws protect against poisonous bites of bird snakes. Serpent-eaters swallow victims from the head.

red kite

Graceful bird of reddish-red color with dark spots. Kites are widespread in Europe, they live in arable fields, in meadows near the forest. Excellent flyers, hunters for live prey.

It is found in cities in the places of garbage dumps, where birds also look out for carrion, garbage. They raid agricultural pens, where they can drag a chicken or a duck, feast on domestic pigeons. Repelling birds of prey becomes an urgent task for many poultry farmers.

black kite

The inhabitant of forest, rocky zones has a brown plumage of a dark shade. The diet is varied, including fish, waste, carrion. The predator has been seen stealing prey from other birds. The dexterity of kites is manifested in the fact that they snatch the contents from food baskets even from people, without fear of a person at all.

lesser spotted eagle

Common inhabitants of Europe, India, leading a migratory life with a winter hut in Africa. In the form of a bird, rather long wings and a tail are characteristic. The color of the plumage is brown, light shades. Prefers deciduous forests for habitat, hilly and flat places with wetlands. It nests on the forks of trunks. The ringing voices of birds can be heard from afar.

common buzzard

A bird with a dense body, brownish color with transverse streaks. In the air, a rounded tail is clearly visible, a neck pressed to the body. Large birds of prey live in various landscapes, in forest and rocky places, on the plains. Plans for a long time at a height, enough prey from the fly. The bird got its name from the characteristic sounds, similar to the meow of a hungry cat.

Common honey buzzard

The color of birds varies between whitish and brown shades of plumage. Characteristic streaks are observed in the lower part of the body. The mass of an adult bird is approximately 1.5 kg. The main habitats are in the forest zones of Europe and Asia. The honey beetles spend the cold season in Africa.

The basis of the diet is insects, mainly wasps. From the bites of stinging wasps, the eyes and the area of \u200b\u200bthe bird's beak are protected by dense feathers. Food supplement for the honey buzzard are small birds, amphibians, small reptiles.

white-tailed eagle

Large stocky birds of dark brown color with a wide white tail trim. Adherents of the water element, nesting for centuries on rocky cliffs along rivers and sea coasts. Hunts for large prey, does not disdain carrion.

Vulture

A medium-sized feathered predator of a contrasting color of black and white tones, with a characteristic patch of bare skin on the head. On the back of the head and neck are long feathers. Vultures are common in Eurasia, Africa.

Diurnal Birds of Prey often hover over pastures, are found near human settlements. The food is based on garbage, carrion of the late stage of decomposition. Easily adapt to any conditions of existence. Birds bring undoubted benefits, fulfilling the mission of orderlies.

Sparrowhawk

The predator is a small representative of the hawk family. Sexual dimorphism is reflected in the shades of plumage of birds. The males are gray in the upper part, the chest and abdomen are reddish in transverse stripes. The females are brown above, the lower part of the body is whitish, with streaks. A notable feature is white feathers above the eyes, similar to eyebrows.

The eyes and high legs of the hawk are yellow. Sparrowhawks are common in Central and Northern Eurasia. They hunt small birds in a lightning attack, looking for prey in the air. The way of life depends on the area. Northern populations migrate closer to the southern borders of the habitat in winter.

goshawk

The birds are larger than the sparrowhawks. Masters of ambush hunting, feed only on fresh prey. Gain speed in a few seconds. They live in forests of various types, including mountain ones. Stick to certain areas. Predator birds the skopin families are represented by a single species.

Osprey

A large feathered predator lives all over the world, except for South America, a large part of Africa. It feeds exclusively on fish, therefore it settles along rivers, lakes, less often seas. If water bodies freeze in winter, it flies to the southern part of its range. The color is contrasting - dark brown upper and snow-white lower part. Tail in transverse stripes.

The osprey catches fish from a height with long legs extended forward. Abducted wings have a characteristic bend at the carpal joint. The bird's outer finger rotates freely backwards, which helps to hold prey. Sebaceous feathers protect against water, nasal valves - from water when diving.

The falcon family is distinguished by high flying qualities of birds. Beaks of falcons with an additional tooth on the mandible. The most famous species are found in South America, South Asia.

Kobchik

A small migratory bird wintering thousands of kilometers away from nesting sites. It lives in open spaces, preferring uncultivated fields, wetlands. It feeds on insects, especially May beetles. Plans low when hunting. Males are painted in rich gray color, the abdomen is light. Females have a red head, lower body. Black stripes run down the gray back.

common kestrel

Birds adapt well to various landscapes. Kestrel can be found in the mountains, forest-steppes, deserts, in city squares, parks. A lot of birds nest in Italy. In winter, their number increases due to migratory individuals.

The color of the birds is multicolored. Gray head and tail, reddish back, light brown abdomen, yellow paws. A black border runs along the tail, dark spots are scattered over the body. A feature of the kestrel is the ability to hover in the air in one place with its tail down, fluttering its wings.

peregrine falcon

Bird of dense build, large head. The wings are pointed, like many falcon representatives. Weight approximately 1.3 kg. The uniqueness of birds is in their speed. The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird among all living creatures on Earth. In the "peak" speed reaches 300 km / h.

Mastery of flight allows predators to catch a variety of prey. The plumage of the peregrine falcon in the upper part of the body is black. The chest and abdomen are light in color, with dark longitudinal stripes. Beak and paws are yellow. Peregrine falcons live in Australia, Asia, America, Europe.

Most of the birds are concentrated in the tundra zones. The population of Mediterranean island birds is distinguished by its small size, reddish tinge of the abdomen. Falconers often destroy bird nests, taking chicks, thereby reducing populations.

Cheglok

The bird is a species of small falcon, lives in vast areas with a temperate climate. The weight of the bird is only 300 gr. Names of birds of prey sometimes replaced by comparisons. So, on the basis of the similarity of color, the hobby is often referred to as the “peregrine falcon in miniature”.

Birds migrate long distances before the cold season. Prefers broad-leaved forests alternating with open spaces. Sometimes birds fly into city parks, poplar groves. Hunts at dusk for insects, small birds.

Lanner

The second name of the species is the Mediterranean falcon. A large population is concentrated in Italy. In Russia, sometimes appears in Dagestan. Prefers rocky places, cliffs along the coasts. Lanners are quiet enough the calls of birds of prey can only be heard near the nests. Human anxiety leads to a decrease in populations.

secretary bird

In the order of falconiformes, a large bird is the only representative of its family. The mass of an adult is about 4 kg, height is 150 cm, the wingspan is over 2 m. There are several versions of the origin of the unusual name of the bird.

The most common explanation for the similarity of appearance is that the color of the plumage of the bird resembles the men's suit of a secretary. If you pay attention to the imposing gait, protruding feathers on the back of the head, long neck, slender legs in strict black trousers, then the birth of the name-image becomes clear.

Huge wings help to fly perfectly, soar at a height. Thanks to its long legs, the secretary runs excellently, speeds up to 30 km / h. From a distance, the appearance of a bird resembles a crane, a heron, but an eagle's gaze, a powerful beak testify to the real essence of a predator.

Secretaries live only in Africa. Birds live in pairs, remaining faithful to each other all their lives. American vultures are distinguished by their large size, food predilection for carrion, and soaring flight.

Condor

Types of Andean and Californian condors amaze with their power and size. Giant birds of strong constitution, reach 3 m in wingspan. Noteworthy is a long bare red neck with a white collar of feathers, a hooked beak with leathery earrings.

A fleshy outgrowth is located on the forehead of males. The range of condors is tied to mountain systems. Sedentary birds can be seen on ledges of rocks, among alpine meadows. They rise into the air with a long run or take off from rocky ledges. In a gliding flight, they may not make a single flap of their wings for half an hour.

Despite the threatening appearance, the birds are peaceful. They feed on carrion, eating a large amount of food in reserve. Birds are amazing long-livers. In nature, they live 50-60 years, champions - up to 80 years. The ancients revered condors as totem birds.

Urubu

The species of the American black catharta, the second name of the bird, is distributed over a vast territory of North and South America. The size is inferior to the condor, the mass does not exceed 2 kg. The head and neck are without feathers in the upper part, the skin is strongly wrinkled, gray in color.

Thick paws seem to be more adapted for running on the ground. They prefer open lowlands, desert places, sometimes birds look at city dumps. In addition to carrion, they feed on the fruits of plants, including rotten ones.

Turkey vulture

The bird is considered one of the most common in America. A feature of the turkey neck is a disproportionately small head compared to a voluminous body. There are almost no feathers on the head, bare skin is red. The color is very dark, almost black.

Some of the feathers on the underside of the wings are silvery in color. Turkey vultures prefer to feed near pastures, agricultural lands, looking for carrion. A keen sense of smell helps to find food in shelters under the branches of shrubs. Birds are considered quiet, calm, but sometimes you can hear sounds of birds of prey similar to grunting or hissing.

Royal Vulture

The name of the birds is justified by their imposing appearance, a separate way of life outside the flock. In addition, in the fight against relatives for prey, royal vultures more often turn out to be winners of fights. Birds are attracted by carrion, sometimes dead fish, small mammals, and reptiles replenish the diet.

nocturnal birds of prey, unlike most diurnal hunters, they are represented by owl, barn owl species. A special anatomical structure makes it possible to distinguish a special order of owl-like predators.

Owl

A radiant corolla of feathers forms the so-called facial disc. All nocturnal raptors have large eyes located in front of their heads. A feature of vision is farsightedness. Unlike many birds, the owl has ear holes covered with feathers. Acute hearing and sense of smell exceed human capabilities by 50 times.

The bird can only look forward, but the ability to turn its head 270 ° provides a complete view around. The neck is almost invisible. Soft plumage, an abundance of fluff ensures a silent flight.

Sharp claws, movable outer finger, bending back, adapted to hold prey. All owls have a camouflage color - a combination of gray-brown-black streaks and white stripes.

barn owl

An unusual bird in appearance, about which they say that she has the face of a monkey. As if a white mask on the head gives mystery to the nocturnal predator. The body length of the barn owl is only 40 cm. An unexpected meeting at dusk with a small bird will leave an indelible impression.

Silent movement and sudden appearance are the usual antics of a predator. The bird got its name for its hoarse voice, similar to a cough. The ability to snap its beak terrifies nocturnal travelers. During the day, the birds sleep on the branches, indistinguishable among the trees.

The variety of birds of prey is represented by species that live in almost all corners of the planet. The skill of feathered hunters has been honed by nature since ancient times of the creation of the world.

Hi Hi! Today I have prepared for you an interesting article for the flora and fauna section, in which I will tell you about the life of birds of prey.

The most skillful and merciless hunters of the bird world are feathered predators. They are born killers. These sharp-sighted air aces with their curved beaks and claws easily deal with a wide variety of prey.

Usually the term "birds of prey" is applied to representatives of the order Falconiformes. This large order includes almost three hundred different species; they include buzzards, hawks, falcons and eagles. These birds are all, no doubt, predators, but many other birds that hunt for their food are not. For example, shrike and skua also feed on all living creatures, but neither one nor the other is considered a predator. Oddly enough, but even owls, in which claws and eyesight are not worse than eagles, cannot be considered true predators.

The thing is that these birds do not have a single distinctive feature for all. All birds of prey, which are mainly carnivorous, at the same time, feed on almost all types of animals - birds, insects, mammals and reptiles. Their hooked powerful beaks are well suited for breaking living flesh.

Almost all birds of prey, in addition, actively hunt and kill prey. But they, unlike most of their carnivorous counterparts, grab their prey with powerful clawed paws, and not with a beak. Vultures that feed on carrion are the obvious exception to this rule. Therefore, their beaks are often blunt at the end and their paws are weaker.

All birds of prey are only active during the daytime, and vultures are no exception. But some species, such as the white-throated falcon, fly at dusk, but no one hunts in complete darkness. Therefore, birds of prey are often called daytime hunters, in contrast to owls, which hunt at night.

Birds of prey are found on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica (more about this continent). Individual species of birds have managed to adapt to a wide variety of habitats - from snow-covered tundra to tropical forests, from moorland to mountain peaks.

Migration.

Many of the birds of prey do not live in one place for a whole year. Some wander from one hunting ground to another, with the change of seasons, others migrate to escape the harsh winter. For example, the diet of the steppe kestrel and the common stag is rich in insects, they often fly north in the summer, where there is more food. When winter comes, insects become less, and birds, following the Sun, return to the south.

On the way to loot.

Some predators that prey on other birds roam along with the seasonal migration of their prey. For example, Eleanor's Hobbies delay hatching their offspring until later, so that they hatch just when there are many small birds in the sky of their native Mediterranean. Then the birds of the parents will have no trouble with food for the voracious offspring and for themselves. For example, species such as the peregrine falcon fly only a few kilometers between winter quarters on the coast and nesting sites in the mountains.

Predators during flights avoid vast expanses of water. They are well adapted for soaring, but they are not hardy enough to flap their wings for a long time. Feathered predators, in fact, are revered for this ability to plan for a long time in the air. Various predators have mastered almost all aerobatics to perfection, and much can be learned about the manner of flight or hunting of a particular bird by the shape of its wing.

All birds of prey have wide and long wings with powerful lifting power. For example, eagles, vultures and condors can soar almost effortlessly in the rising currents of heated air. They spend day after day on the wing, methodically examining the surroundings in search of food. Eagle-eagle is one of the most amazing winged predators. An adult skoromok has a wingspan of almost 2 meters, but in flight it seems almost tailless. The fast eagle in search of food is forced to fly around huge areas, it is able to reach speeds of up to 80 km / h. An abrupt change of direction is achieved by changing the angle of the wing in the manner of seabirds. Skoromakh skillfully uses the slightest movement of air, limiting himself to rare flapping of wings.

Thunderstorm of sparrows.

Birds such as the sparrowhawk, which strike their prey in flight, have generally rounded wings and shorter, longer tails. This body shape gives them an optimal combination of maneuverability and speed. The sparrowhawk often swirls along the hedge, frightening small birds, and snatching it with one lightning strike, kills the victim.

Falcons - the most skilled masters of air hunting. In terms of flight speed, they have no equal among birds of prey. It is often written that in pursuit of its prey, the peregrine falcon is able to reach speeds of up to 300 km / h.

Almost always, he attacks his prey (usually a dove or dove) from above, diving from a height of 15-18 m, and inflicts a fatal blow with his claws. He, like the sparrow hawk, is able to grab and kill a small bird with lightning speed on the fly. Larger prey, killed by sheer force of impact, he allows to fall to the ground.

But, however, the title of champion in speed in active flight, apparently, belongs to the common Hobby. The graceful, backward-sloping wings of this miniature predator allow it to shoot down swifts and swallows.

The most famous of all raptors is the kestrel. She is not averse to knocking down a small bird on the fly. More often, however, she resorts to a technique that gave her the nickname "windhover" ("soaring in the wind"). She, on wide-open pointed wings, spreading her tail like a fan, almost motionlessly hangs in the sky, looking out for voles and other living creatures in the grass. It perfectly adapts the flight speed to the speed of the headwind. The kestrel notices its prey and, folding its wings and releasing its claws, falls on it like a stone from the sky.

What has made most of the predators into formidable hunters is their perfect ability to track down, seize and immediately devour prey that is still alive. But different types of birds of prey adhere to different menus, thus not taking food away from each other. Even carrion-eating vultures have their own specialty.

Eared vultures, for example, due to their heavy beak, are able to cut through the thick skin of large animals and tear off pieces of the toughest meat. And griffon vultures wait until the carcass is opened and eat the insides.

A small Egyptian vulture has adapted to crack eggs by throwing stones at them. And his sharp, though not very strong, beak helps him pick up the leftovers of other larger predators.

Gift food.

Vultures are not the only carrion eaters. Few people will miss feasting on freebies, from feathered predators. But, for the most part, of course, they actively hunt and kill prey with the weapons that nature has given them - claws and beaks. Each bird of prey, like the vultures, which have adopted different ways of feeding, hunts in its own way. Moreover, often males are smaller than females, and therefore, rivalry between the sexes is reduced. For example, male sparrowhawks prey on finches and tits, while females, which are larger, often prey on fat pigeons and thrushes.

Winged fisherman.

The osprey is distinguished by curious anatomical features. She not only has needle-sharp claws, but even the pads on her paws have a rough needle-like surface, helping to hold the fish masterfully snatched from the water. Also, the originality of the osprey is that one of its fingers on the paw has a movable joint, and, thanks to this, two fingers are bent forward, and two - back, in order to better hold the slippery fish.

Three fingers on the paws, in most birds of prey, look forward, and one back, and although they are all equipped with sharp claws, the dagger "blow of mercy" strikes the victim precisely with the rear finger. Predators that prey on other birds usually have longer paws and claws. This is to make it easier to grab the victim. And, for example, in the catcher of ground prey - the African harrier falcon, the paws are equipped with two joints, which allows you to pull the victim out of the deepest gap.

Marriage rituals.

Many winged predators demonstrate the wonders of aerobatics in an attempt to captivate a partner. Usually, such aerial shows are accompanied by excited screams and resemble a serious hunt, when one bird flies on a partner as if it were prey. Some falcons arrange flights in pairs, in which one drops a tidbit, the other picks it up in flight. A couple in love can even grapple with their claws and somersault together in the air almost to the ground, unhooking at the very last moment and again soaring into the air. Birds of prey during the mating season often become jealous guards of their territory, driving away all rivals. Sometimes an uninvited guest of the same species can be killed and eaten by the female, which is larger and has settled pairs here.

There are as many nesting sites and methods as there are species. Many birds of prey nest on natural elevations, such as cliff ledges or even in other people's nests. Others build their messy huge nests, which, as a rule, are located on the top of a lonely tall tree.

Young growth.

The number of eggs in a clutch can vary from 1 to 6, and the larger the bird, the fewer eggs. Incubation always begins immediately, therefore, if there are several eggs in the clutch, the chicks are born at different times. For predators that do not have a reliable source of food, this is ideal, because in the event of difficulties in obtaining food or a sharp decrease in the number of prey, there is a chance that at least one chick will survive.

Predator chicks, in comparison with most other birds, develop relatively slowly. Both parents get food for the chicks, but usually only the female feeds them, which brings prey to the nest and immediately flies away for new living creatures to feed her insatiable offspring. At first, parents break food for babies into pieces, but as they grow, they learn to do it themselves.

Also, the chicks fledge slowly. At first, their first flights most often end in falls, because they are very clumsy. As a result, parents feed their offspring for a long time after the first trials of strength. Adults, apparently, teach the chicks how to hunt, they bring them live prey and fly away, and the chick must catch it himself. It happens that an adult bird drops prey from its beak in the air, and the chick must catch it. The young predator will gain its final independence only after it learns to hunt on its own and learns all the necessary skills.

That's all for now, dear readers. I hope you liked my article. Have a nice time and good mood 😉

Birds, which prey on animals primarily through flight and attack from the air, use their senses, especially sight. They are defined as predator birds, primarily prey on vertebrates, including other birds. Their claws and beak tend to be relatively large, powerful, and adapted for tearing flesh. In most cases, females are significantly larger than males. The term "raptor" is derived from the Latin word rapere (meaning to capture or take by force), and may refer informally to all such hunters, or specifically to diurnal groups. Because their predatory lifestyle is often at the top of the food chain they encounter. many kinds birds of prey may be semi-predatory or fully predatory. However, in ornithology, the term "bird of prey" applies only to the feathered families listed below.

Definition.

Strictly speaking, the term predatory bird" has a broad meaning that includes many birds that hunt and feed on animals, as well as birds that feed on very small insects. In ornithology, there is a definition that is used here, this term has a narrower meaning for hunting birds, which have very good eyesight for finding food, strong legs with sharp claws for catching food, and a strong strong curved beak for tearing flesh. Majority carnivorous birds, also have strong curved claws for catching or killing prey. Predator birds tend to prey on vertebrates, which tend to be quite tall relative to the large size of the birds themselves. Most also feed on carrion, at least occasionally. Vultures and condors feed on carrion, which is their main food source. As an example, the narrower definition also excludes gulls and their birds of prey, which catch and eat fairly large fish, partly because these birds of prey catch and kill prey entirely with their beaks, and like skuas, feed on fish and vertebrates. With this cluster of morphological and behavioral characteristics, the species listed below tend to be carnivorous birds in ornithology. They can be divided into species that hunt during the day and those that hunt at night, for example. birds of prey and owls distantly related and classified into separate families, however, their evolution was convergent, both groups of birds adapted to a predatory lifestyle.

History of classification.

The taxonomy of Carl Linnaeus grouped birds (class Aves) into orders, families and species, with no formal rows between genera and orders. He placed everyone birds of prey into one order, subdivided into four genera: Vultur (vultures), Falco (eagles, hawks, falcons, etc.), Strix (owls), and Lanius (shrikes). This approach was followed by later authors such as Gmelin, Albany, and Turnton.

Classification, division into day and night predators.

Diurnal Birds of Prey, formally divided into five families (the traditional classification of the family, at present):
Accipitridae: hawks, eagles, buzzards, vultures;
Pandionidae: osprey (sometimes classified as a subfamily of the Pandioninae of the previous family);
Sagittariidae: secretary bird;
Falconidae: falcons, caracaras;
Cathartidae: vultures including condors.
nocturnal birds of prey, include such representatives as - owls - are classified separately, as members of two families that have come down to us, families:
Strigidae: typical owls;
Tytonidae: barn owls.
Observations indicate that otherwise unrelated groups of birds may serve similar ecological functions and contain many morphological similarities to each other, explained by the concept of convergent evolution.

common names.
Common names for various birds of prey are determined based on structure, but many traditional names do not reflect the evolutionary relationship between groups.

Falco rusticolus (gyrfalcon). The largest representative of the falcons in the world, the so-called "ghostly" Gyrfalcon, which received its nickname for its specific "smoky" color, is one of the most ferocious birds of prey in the upper latitudes of the Arctic.

Accipiter striatus. The smallest hawk in North America. At the same time, he is the most daring and dexterous acrobat in the air. They have distinctive proportions: long legs, short wings, and very long tails, which they use to maneuver when hunting in dense groves, chasing birds and mice at breakneck speed.

- variable size, usually nocturnal birds of prey - specialized hunters. They fly almost silently thanks to special feather structures that reduce turbulence. They have a particularly acute hearing.

- is one of the largest, fastest and agile birds among both eagles in particular and birds of prey in general. Glittering golden feathers adorn the back of the head and neck; with a powerful beak and claws demonstrates his hunting prowess.

- as a rule, large birds of prey with long, wide wings, a powerful beak and massive legs, also have plumage on their legs. They build very large nests.

- a bird of prey of one species, found all over the world, specializes in catching fish and has paws adapted for this with curved claws. They build large nests, the diameter of which can reach 2 meters.

- have long wings and relatively weak legs. They spend a significant portion of their time in flight. They take live vertebrate prey but mainly feed on snakes.

are medium to large birds of prey with robust sense organs and broad wings, including members of the hawk genus (also known as "Buteo" in North America).

- big as hawks predator birds, with long tails and long thin legs. Most use a combination of keen sight and hearing to prey on small vertebrates, gliding on their long, wide wings and circling low over grasslands and swamps.

— predatory bird, scavengers, are divided into two distinct biological families: Accipitridae, which is found only in the Eastern Hemisphere, and American Vultures, which is found only in the Western Hemisphere. Members of both groups have heads partially or completely devoid of feathers.

— predatory bird, is a small slender falcon that preys on large insects and birds. Very powerful and fast bird.

Falconry, birds of prey video

The list includes such species as day and night. Diurnal groups include hawks, falcons and other groups. mainly represented by owls and barn owls. They can be of various sizes, have both a huge span (American condor), and the tiniest wings that, for example, a pygmy falcon possesses. Hawks, vultures, kites, condors, owls, owls - they are all included in the list of birds of prey.

These species of birds live all over the world, they are not only in Antarctica, as well as on some oceanic islands. The eagle and the golden eagle are also birds of prey. The list continues with various varieties of falcons. It is impossible not to admire the majestic flight and circling above the ground of these magnificent birds. In addition to them, it is included in the list of predatory or, as it is also called, buzzard.

Features of existence

These amazing creatures have a fairly long lifespan. Many of them live for more than fifty years, in the history of ornithology there were cases when eagles, hawks and other species were kept in captivity from 45 to 69 years. In nature, the life of birds is much shorter, on average it is from fifteen to twenty-five years. Birds of prey breed only once a year, in very rare cases - twice. Before laying eggs, the couple builds a nest for future chicks; they can also settle in a strange and already prepared place. Basically, such birds choose tall trees, rocks for nests, but sometimes they also nest on the ground. The female usually incubates the eggs, this happens within two months, each species is different. Sometimes the male replaces her in this work, but not for a long time. Chicks are born quite strong and strong, most of them are already sighted.

Small birds of prey chicks mature very quickly and fly out of the nest, but for such as vultures, it takes several months for them to grow up and be able to fly. These types of predators feed mainly on animals and include various mammals, insects and small birds. Also, predatory individuals often feed on carrion, and very little on vegetation.

Birds of Prey of Russia

The country is home to many species of various birds of prey. These are mainly eagles and sea eagles, hawks, kites, and the list of birds of prey in Russia is replenished with various specimens of owls, owls, golden eagles.

Each band has its own characteristics. In the forests and fields - these are one specimens, and in the highlands - already others. Each individual bird adapts to a specific habitat and climatic conditions. Osprey, honey beetles, harriers, buzzards are also all birds of prey in Russia. A photo of such powerful and strong birds shows all the splendor of nature that created them.

The cycle of life in our nature is built in such a way that there are predatory individuals and herbivores. No matter how inhumane it may be, but the presence of predators on Earth is an integral part of the overall system that has been functioning for a very long time. A special niche in this system is occupied by birds of prey, which feed on various small animals, and sometimes carrion. As for Russia, many species of these unusual animals live here.

Almost all types of carnivorous birds are similar to each other, this is due to a lifestyle that is based on constant hunting. That is why they have sharp claws and a massive beak, a tenacious grip does not allow the victim to escape - she is doomed to death. They are quite reverent towards their offspring; if threatened, they can attack and even kill the offender. In nature, there are few animals that can withstand such aggressive and powerful individuals.

Almost all types of carnivorous birds are similar to each other, this is due to a lifestyle that is based on constant hunting.

It is customary to subdivide flying predators depending on the preferred time of hunting - day or night. Without certain knowledge in ornithology, it is difficult to distinguish between these species, since their features are associated with habitats and diet.

If we analyze bird species, we can see that representatives of this type can choose prey for themselves that are much larger than their own size. These entities include:

seagulls;
eagles;
falcons;
owls, etc.

For these varieties, common aspects are the following factors:

nutrition method;
a feature of life, in which a separate place is occupied by time when the bird starts hunting;
diet.

Rough-footed buzzard

Protecting the nest of the Buzzard is in the first place. There were no cases of attacks on people, they can just scream and soar in the air. The bird fights off dogs and arctic foxes more aggressively, for this strong and sharp claws are used. The species is characterized by seasonal migration. Closer to the cold weather, the zimnyak goes to the middle zone of the country. It is interesting that the bird may not disdain carrion. However, this happens only in very hungry seasons, when it is not possible to obtain natural food.

white tailed eagle

The list of birds of prey in Russia cannot be considered complete without this representative; due to its large dimensions, it belongs to the largest individuals in our country. The wingspan is more than 2 meters, which is really impressive, and the weight of 7 kilograms makes it just a real and fearless hunter. Adults have a white tail, this is a sign that they are already more than 3 years old, the rest of the individuals have a dark tail.

Eagle can be easily confused with a golden eagle, if you do not know the characteristic features of this bird. So, for example, their tails have clearly visible differences. If the first one is very similar to a wedge, then the second one has a rounded tail. As for nesting, preference is given to deciduous species, occasionally settling in the rocks. The range is very extensive and covers almost the country except for very cold or arid regions.

white tailed eagle

They try to settle near water bodies, since their diet includes mainly fish. But they do not disdain small waterfowl. Nests look impressive - you can often find a meter-long, firmly assembled structure.

This species includes a small number of birds, they are listed in the Red Book, so any harm is punishable by law. It is possible to determine the belonging of a bird to this particular breed by the following species parameters:

massive dimensions;
yellow eyes;
contrasting coloration: the bottom of the body is yellow, a red stripe runs across the bird's goiter, the wings and tail are dark, and black wide stripes are present on the head;
with a strong nervous strain, for example, when someone threatens their offspring, they make unusual sounds.

They live all over the world, do not like the northern regions. They prefer to winter in the countries of Africa and the topics of Asia. Feel great near water bodies rich in food. They nest in trees, with high heights and dry tops, as far as possible from human settlements. Birds visit the same nest every year. One clutch can contain no more than 4 eggs, usually 2 or 3. The eggs are dark in color, a distinctive feature is purple blotches arranged randomly.

It has a modest size, rarely representatives of this species exceed 30 centimeters. Such dimensions allow the derbnik falcon to accelerate with lightning speed and develop a high flight speed. Sexual dimorphism is developed quite distinctly, to the main extent this is manifested in the fact that females are significantly superior in their massiveness to males.

As a rule, the weight is not more than 300 grams, the wingspan is in the range of 50-70 centimeters. In flight, the wings take the form of a sickle, the voice of the individual is sonorous and at the same time abrupt. In females and males, the color is different: the females have light buffy tones with brown longitudinal spots, while the males are reddish with a black tail.

A characteristic difference is the pattern in the neck area, which in its appearance resembles a collar. Females visually resemble saker falcons, although much smaller, and the former also have striped tails with brown stripes that change to cream. Both sexes have yellow colored legs, a dark brown iris, and a dark bill.

Another representative of the falcon family, distributed on all continents with the exception of Antarctica. In terms of size, the peregrine falcon is no larger than an ordinary crow, it stands out for its unusual dark plumage, light belly and black head. In total, there are about 17 subspecies of this bird.

This individual holds the record for speed and holds the title of the fastest living creature in the world. Experts say that in a swift dive flight, the speed exceeds 320 km / h. Nevertheless, in terms of the speed of horizontal flight, the predator is inferior to the swift. When hunting, the peregrine falcon sits on a perch or parries in the sky. After detecting the prey, it dives at it almost at a right angle, hitting the victim on a tangent with folded paws. The claw strike can be so strong that even a large rodent's head flies off.

This species includes an owl-like detachment, which has only two families: barn owl and owl. Common representatives are precisely owls, as well as owls, owls, owls, scops, owls and barn owls. For a better understanding of the features of these birds, some of them should be considered in more detail.

snowy owl

Almost all owls are similar to each other. A distinctive feature is a large head with large eyes, the latter seem even more voluminous due to the fan plumage - this is the facial disk. Their beak is short, has a curved shape, nostrils are located right at the base. Representatives have a soft and rather dense plumage, a rectangular tail, rounded wings, which allows the bird to fly quickly and absolutely silently, as well as fend off. Wings differ based on the variety:

those living in the forest - they are short;
those who prefer to hunt in open areas have long ones.

The toes and feet are covered with feathers right down to the claws, although this is not the case for fish owls. The front fingers are reversible, so the owl can comfortably sit on a thin branch for a long time, the claws are sharp and long, so the victim cannot get out of the tenacious grip. A distinctive feature is the absence of goiter.

snowy owl

Their color is camouflage, thanks to which the individual is invisible against the background of surrounding objects; in the daytime, it is very difficult to notice an owl. Birds living in the forest are brown in color, and those who prefer coniferous forests have gray plumage. Plains owls are lighter, and in the desert they are red.

Females and males have the same appearance, but even here there are exceptions, among them are snowy owls. Males are snow-white in color, while females are variegated, brown.

barn owl

The size of the barn owl resembles a jackdaw, the length is in the range of 33-39 cm, while the wingspan is about 90 cm. The mass varies in a wide range from 190 g to 700 g, this difference does not depend on geographical features, but is largely limited by the genotype of a particular individual. Although in general island birds are much smaller.

The barn owl differs from the family of owls in the shape of the facial disc, in which it has the shape of a heart. From the rest of the barn owls, a variety of ordinary ones stands out with light shades of plumage. These birds of prey rarely make sounds, usually during breeding - you can hear a hoarse screech, sniffling and characteristic hooting. Due to its hoarse, special, as well as rattling voice, the bird was nicknamed the Russian word "barn owl".

Widespread throughout the world, including the islands. These individuals cannot accumulate adipose tissue, so the northern climate is not suitable for them. There are no barn owls in America and in the northern part of Europe, and in Russia they live in the Kaliningrad region.

Birds of prey are found on every continent of our planet, there are a huge number of varieties of these animals, each of which has distinctive features and nuances. Our country is also rich in all sorts of interesting individuals, which should be familiarized with in more detail. Some even start the above predators at home, caring for them is significantly different from caring for.

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