Meat Eating Birds

Birds of prey are also called raptors. They have great vision, but only vultures have a good sense of smell. The raptor family has 5 types of bird which are eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and vultures. You can tell by the sharp talons on their feet (talons are claws that are on raptors feet), forward facing eyes, and the sharp beak.

Eagles are the biggest of the raptors. The harpy eagle is one of the biggest of the eagle family. It's from South America and has been known to even eat sloths and monkeys!

The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird and it's also the fastest animal in the world-- going from 0-200 mph in its dive to catch food. However if not in its dive it can only go 35 mph. It also lives on every continent besides Antarctica. Hawks are one of the smallest group in the raptor family. They usually eat mice and rats. They have short wings compared  to other raptors.

The great horned owl lives in North America, and is the most ferocious owl in North America. Like all other owls, the great horned owl is out during the night. Vultures are scavengers, which means it eats things that are already dead. They have oily looking black feathers.

The raptors need our help. Some raptors like the harpy eagle are endangered. If we help the raptors they will live for many years.