Birds of Prey: Hunters of Skies and Lands
Raptors, kings of the skies and lords of ecosystems, are fascinating birds of prey. Endowed with keen eyesight, sharp talons, and a hooked beak, they are perfectly adapted for hunting. Whether diurnal like eagles and falcons, or nocturnal like owls, raptors play an essential ecological role by regulating animal populations.
Discover the 10 SpeciesPage Contents
The 10 Emblematic Bird of Prey Species
Golden Eagle
A symbol of power and freedom, the Golden Eagle is one of the largest and most imposing raptors, reigning over vast open mountainous territories.
Common Kestrel
Small and agile, the Common Kestrel is an expert at hovering, using this technique to spot its prey, mainly voles and large insects.
Common Buzzard
The Common Buzzard is Europe's most common diurnal raptor, recognizable by its characteristic soaring flight and mewing calls. It is a versatile hunter.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Europe's largest owl, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a powerful nocturnal predator, capable of hunting large prey. Its piercing orange eyes and ear tufts are distinctive.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is an agile and fast raptor, specialized in hunting small birds, which it pursues through the dense vegetation of forests and gardens.
African White-backed Vulture
An essential link in the African food chain, the African White-backed Vulture is a scavenger that cleans the environment and helps prevent the spread of diseases.
Lappet-faced Vulture
With its imposing size and robust beak, the Lappet-faced Vulture is one of the largest African vultures, capable of opening the thickest carcasses.
Secretarybird
Unique in its kind, this large African raptor hunts primarily on the ground, specializing in catching snakes and other small animals with its long legs.
Snowy Owl
The Snowy Owl is a large white owl, an emblem of the Arctic, known for its ability to hunt during the day in the frozen tundras. Its discretion and camouflage are impressive.
Black Kite
A migratory raptor with elegant flight, the Black Kite is an opportunist that feeds on carrion, dead fish, and small animals, often observed near waterways.
Explore All Our Guides on Birds of Prey
In addition to our 10 emblematic species, our site covers many other diurnal and nocturnal raptors, from forests to deserts. Access all our detailed identification guides below.
Other Comprehensive Guides to Discover
Click on a raptor's name to directly access its detailed profile: photos, habitat, behavior, and observation tips.
Guides for More Specific and Rare Species
For keen observers, we also have dedicated profiles for rarer species or those of particular interest, often facing conservation challenges.
- Andean Condor – The largest flying raptor in America
- Bearded Vulture – The "bone breaker" of the mountains, a unique scavenger
- Bald Eagle – The emblem of the United States, a powerful fisher
- Lesser Spotted Eagle – A discreet migratory eagle, inhabitant of humid forests
- Secretarybird – The African snake hunter with a secretary-like appearance
What is a Bird of Prey?
Birds of prey are predatory birds, meaning birds that hunt other animals for food. This diverse group includes diurnal birds like eagles, falcons, buzzards, and vultures, as well as nocturnal birds such as owls. Their distinctive characteristics include:
- Acute sensory organs: Keen eyesight, sometimes eight times superior to that of humans, allowing them to spot prey from very long distances. Nocturnal raptors possess exceptional hearing.
- Powerful talons: Muscular legs ending in long, sharp, retractable talons to capture, hold, and kill their prey.
- Hooked beak: A short, strong, and curved beak, ideal for tearing the flesh of their victims.
- Mastered flight: Broad, powerful wings for soaring and high-altitude hunting, or shorter, rounded wings for maneuverability in forests.
Raptors are essential predators that play a vital role in balancing ecosystems by controlling populations of small mammals, birds, and insects.
Distinctive Characteristics of Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are distinguished by several remarkable adaptations that make them exceptional hunters:
- Varied hunting techniques: Some perform "kiting" (hovering flight) like the Common Kestrel, others stoop at high speed (Peregrine Falcon), while owls hunt silently at night thanks to their specialized plumage.
- Unique physical adaptations: Vultures, for example, often have featherless heads and necks to avoid soiling their plumage when feeding on carcasses. Owls have facial discs that direct sound to their ears.
- Sexual dimorphism: In many species, the female is larger and more powerful than the male, which can influence the division of roles during breeding and hunting.
- Specialized diet: While most are carnivorous, some raptors have very specific preferences, such as the Short-toed Snake Eagle which feeds almost exclusively on snakes.
Habitat of Birds of Prey: Diversity and Strategic Sites
The habitat of birds of prey is extremely varied and highly dependent on the species and its needs for hunting and nesting:
- Open environments: Eagles, buzzards, and falcons prefer grasslands, plains, and mountains, where they can spot their prey from afar and benefit from updrafts.
- Forest environments: Sparrowhawks, goshawks, and some owls prefer dense forests that offer them hiding places and ambush hunting opportunities.
- Wetlands: Some harriers specialize in marshes and reed beds, hunting small birds and rodents.
- Cliffs and buildings: Nesting sites are often rocky cliffs or large trees. Some species, like the Peregrine Falcon, even adapt to large cities by nesting on skyscrapers.
The preservation of these diverse habitats is crucial for the survival of raptor populations.
Our Ornithologist's Raptor Tip
Observing birds of prey requires patience and discretion. These birds are often wary and sensitive to human presence. To maximize your chances of spotting them without disturbing them, favor the early morning or late afternoon, when they are most active in hunting.
The trick that makes all the difference: learn to identify strategic high points in your region (ridges, isolated treetops, cliffs) and set up at a good distance with binoculars or a spotting scope. Observe their characteristic flight: eagles soar in circles, falcons beat their wings rapidly before diving, buzzards "kite". By understanding their behavior, you will develop a deeper connection with these magnificent predators.
Our 5 key tips for observing birds of prey:
- Equip yourself well: Good quality binoculars (10x42 minimum) are essential. A spotting scope is a major asset for distant raptors or for detailed observation.
- Choose the right sites: Look for elevated viewpoints with vast panoramas (mountain passes, cliffs, hilltops) or forest edges. Migration corridors are prime locations in spring and autumn.
- Learn flight silhouettes: Each raptor has a distinct silhouette and flight pattern. Memorize the shape of the wings, tail, and how they soar or flap.
- Be patient and discreet: Raptors can appear at any moment and disappear quickly. Remain still, speak in a low voice, and avoid sudden movements. Never approach a nest or resting area.
- Consult local guides: Local ornithological associations or naturalist guides can point you to the best observation sites and times, as well as specific species to look for.
Diet of Birds of Prey: Adapted Regimes
The diet of birds of prey is entirely carnivorous, but it varies considerably from one species to another, reflecting their unique adaptations and available prey:
- Mammals and birds: Most eagles, buzzards, and owls hunt rodents, rabbits, hares, and other birds. The Golden Eagle can even attack prey the size of a roe deer.
- Fish: Ospreys and sea eagles specialize in catching fish, using their talons to snatch them from the water.
- Insects and reptiles: Common Kestrels often feed on large insects, while the Short-toed Snake Eagle is a predator of snakes par excellence.
- Carrion: Vultures are essential scavengers that consume carcasses, preventing the spread of diseases. Some raptors, like the Black Kite, are opportunists that eat both live prey and carrion.
The decline in prey populations due to habitat loss, pesticides, or illegal hunting is a serious threat to many raptors.
Migration of Birds of Prey: Complex Aerial Journeys
Migration is a vital strategy for many birds of prey, allowing them to find abundant food resources and favorable climatic conditions between their breeding and wintering grounds:
- Use of currents: Large diurnal raptors, such as eagles and buzzards, depend on thermal updrafts (columns of warm air) to conserve energy during their long journeys, often avoiding large bodies of water.
- Variety of distances: Some raptors are sedentary (little to no migration), while others are partial migrants (only part of the population migrates) or long-distance transcontinental migrants (like European Honey Buzzards or some harriers).
- Passage points: Mountain passes and sea straits (Gibraltar, Bosphorus) become migration "highways" where thousands of raptors can be observed in a few days.
- Modern challenges: Poorly located wind farms, power lines, destruction of resting and feeding habitats, and climate change are increasingly disrupting their migratory routes and breeding success.