# bird of prey Birds of prey are amazing hunters with sharp talons and keen eyesight. They soar high in the sky and can spot their food from far away. Some of them are very big and can even carry off small animals! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests, Mountains, Grasslands - **Also known as:** Raptor ![bird of prey](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bald.eagle.closeup.arp-sh.750pix.jpg&width=800) Photo: Adrian Pingstone ( User:Arpingstone ), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bald.eagle.closeup.arp-sh.750pix.jpg) ## Appearance The bird of prey typically has a powerful, hooked beak and strong, sharp talons used for grasping. Their eyes are large and forward-facing, often with intense yellow or brown irises. Plumage varies widely but is commonly shades of brown, grey, or white, providing excellent camouflage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Pernis ## Interesting facts - Baby birds of prey are called nestlings and are very fluffy when they hatch. - Some birds of prey can turn their heads almost all the way around! - The fastest animal is a bird of prey, diving over 300 km/h! - They often build huge nests, called eyries, that can be used for many years. ## Special abilities - **Eagle Eye:** Bird of prey has incredible eyesight that helps them spot tiny prey from very high in the sky. - **Iron Talons:** Bird of prey can grip prey tightly with powerful talons thanks to strong leg muscles and sharp claws. - **Silent Hunter:** Many birds of prey fly almost silently, their specialized feathers muffling wingbeats for surprise attacks. - **Razor Beak:** Bird of prey has a strong, hooked beak to tear meat from prey after a successful hunt. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-100 cm - **Wingspan:** 30-300 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-15 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-70 years - **Speed:** 320 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-7 - **Incubation:** 28-60 days - **Migration Distance:** 10000 km ## Diet & Feeding Birds of prey are mighty hunters that eat other animals to get their energy. - **Primary Foods:** Rodents, Small birds, Reptiles, Fish, Insects, Carrion - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — A common small mammal preyed upon by many raptors. - **Hunts:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — A significant food source for larger eagles and hawks. - **Hunts:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Many raptors, especially hawks, eat snakes. - **Hunts:** [European Starling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-starling) (*Sturnus vulgaris*) — Small birds are a primary food for falcons and accipiters. - **Hunts:** [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) — Fish are key to the diet for osprey and fishing eagles. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch birds from a distance and never try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify bird of prey? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is bird of prey? 15-100 cm ### What is bird of prey's wingspan? 30-300 cm ### How much does bird of prey weigh? 0.05-15 kg ### How long does bird of prey live? 5-70 years ### How fast can bird of prey move? 320 km/h ### What does bird of prey eat? Birds of prey are mighty hunters that eat other animals to get their energy. ### Where is bird of prey usually found? Forests, Mountains, Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Zoo d'Amnéville](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-damn-ville) — Grand Est, FR · Zoo ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Bird Of Prey: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bird-of-prey)