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List of birds of prey

List of Different Types of Raptors: Focus on Bird Conservation introduces these fascinating carnivorous birds, known for their sharp talons, powerful beaks, and excellent eyesight. Raptors are divided into two primary groups: diurnal raptors (active during the day) and nocturnal raptors (active at night). Below is a comprehensive list of raptor types, categorized by their unique characteristics and hunting behaviors.
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1.Eagles

  • Description: Large and powerful with broad wings and keen eyesight.
  • Examples: Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Harpy Eagle.
  • Hunting Style: Ambush predators, primarily targeting medium-sized mammals and fish.
Types of Raptors: A Bird Conservation Perspective

Sea and Fish Eagles:

  1. Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus): North America, white head and tail.
  2. White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla): Eurasia, brown with white tail.
  3. Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus): Northeast Asia, very large with white shoulders.
  4. African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer): Africa, distinctive call and coloring.
  5. Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus): Central Asia, brown with white markings.
  6. White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster): Australia and Southeast Asia.

Booted Eagles (having feathered legs):

  1. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos): Widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.
  2. Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax): Australia, largest bird of prey there.
  3. Verreaux’s Eagle (Aquila verreauxii): Africa, specialized for hunting hyraxes.
  4. Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata): Southern Europe, Asia, Africa.
  5. Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus): Eurasia and Africa, smaller with variable plumage.
  6. Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides): Australia.

Hawk-Eagles:

  1. Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus): Africa, powerful forest hunter.
  2. Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus): Central and South America.
  3. Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus): Central and South America.

Other Notable Eagles:

  1. Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja): Neotropics, one of the largest and most powerful.
  2. Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi): Philippines, critically endangered, monkey-eating.
  3. Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus): Africa, powerful and aggressive hunter.
  4. Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis): Africa, distinctive long crest.
  5. Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus): Africa, short tail and distinctive flight.

2. Hawks

  • Description: Agile and medium-sized, often with broad wings and rounded tails.
  • Examples: Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk.
  • Hunting Style: Known for their ability to hunt in forests or open fields, targeting birds and small mammals.
Types of Raptors: A Bird Conservation Perspective

Buteos (Soaring Hawks):

  1. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis): North America, very common and adaptable.
  2. Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus): Eastern North America, distinctive red shoulders.
  3. Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus): North America, migrates in large flocks.
  4. Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni): North America, long-distance migrant.
  5. Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus): Arctic and subarctic, feathered legs.
  6. Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis): Western North America, large and powerful.
  7. Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus): Americas, variable plumage.

Accipiters (Forest Hawks):

  1. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus): North America, small and agile.
  2. Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii): North America, medium-sized, often seen in suburbs.
  3. Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): North America and Eurasia, large and powerful.
  4. Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus): Eurasia, small and widespread.

Other Notable Hawks:

  1. Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus): Americas, unique social hunting behavior.
  2. Gray Hawk (Buteo nitidus): Americas, gray plumage.
  3. Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus): Americas, mimics vultures in flight.
  4. Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus): Americas, dark plumage, often near water.
  5. Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris): Americas, very common and adaptable.
  6. White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus): Americas, white tail.
  7. Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens): Neotropics, long legs and double-jointed knees.
  8. Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus): Eurasia and Africa, large and robust.
  9. Rufous-winged Buzzard (Butastur liventer): Southeast Asia, distinctive rufous wings.

3. Falcons

  • Description: Sleek, fast-flying raptors with long, pointed wings.
  • Examples: Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, Gyrfalcon.
  • Hunting Style: Speed-based hunters, often diving at incredible speeds to catch prey mid-air.
List of Different Types of Raptors: Focus on Bird Conservation

1. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus): Arguably the most famous, known for its incredible diving speed (over 200 mph). Found worldwide.

2. Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus): The largest falcon, found in Arctic regions.

3. Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug): Found in Central Eurasia, known for its strength and endurance.

4. Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus): Found in Africa, Southeast Europe, and into Asia.

5. Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger): Found in the Indian subcontinent.

6. Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus): Found in western North America.

7. Merlin (Falco columbarius): A small falcon found in North America and Eurasia.

8. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius): The smallest falcon in North America, very colorful.

9. Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo): A small, agile falcon found in Eurasia and Africa.

10. Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis): Found in the Americas, known for its long tail.

11. Barbary Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides): Closely related to the Peregrine, found in North Africa and the Middle East.

12. Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus): A migratory falcon found in Eastern Europe and Asia.

4. Owls

  • Description: Silent nocturnal hunters with round faces and exceptional night vision.
  • Examples: Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl, Snowy Owl.
  • Hunting Style: Ambush predators, relying on stealth and sound to catch rodents and insects.
owls

1. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus): One of the largest and most widespread owls in North America, with prominent ear tufts.

2. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus): Distinctive white plumage, found in Arctic regions.

3. Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo): The largest owl in the world by wingspan, found across Eurasia.

4. Barn Owl (Tyto alba): Heart-shaped face, found worldwide except for Antarctica.

5. Barred Owl (Strix varia): Distinctive “who cooks for you?” call, found in North America.

6. Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa): One of the largest owls by length, found in North America and Eurasia.

7. Long-eared Owl (Asio otus): Long ear tufts, found in North America, Europe, and Asia.

8. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus): Often hunts during the day, found worldwide.

9. Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus): One of the smallest owls in North America.

10. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): Lives in burrows, often in grasslands.

11. Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula): Hunts during the day, resembles a hawk in appearance.

12. Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi): The smallest owl in the world, found in North America.

13. Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata): Distinctive facial markings, found in Central and South America.

14. Blakiston’s Fish Owl (Ketupa blakistoni): One of the largest fish owls, found in East Asia.

15. Tawny Owl (Strix aluco): Common in Europe and Asia, known for its varied calls.

5. Kites

  • Description: Graceful fliers with slender bodies and forked tails.
  • Examples: Black Kite, Mississippi Kite, Swallow-tailed Kite.
  • Hunting Style: Scavengers or opportunistic feeders, often feeding on carrion or insects.
List of Different Types of Raptors: Focus on Bird Conservation

Milvus (Typical Kites):

  1. Red Kite (Milvus milvus): Europe, distinctive reddish-brown plumage and forked tail.
  2. Black Kite (Milvus migrans): Widespread across Eurasia, Africa, and Australia.

Haliastur (Whistling and Brahminy Kites):

  1. Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus): Australia, distinctive whistling call.
  2. Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus): Asia and Australia, striking reddish-brown and white plumage.

Lophoictinia (Square-tailed Kite):

  1. Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura): Australia, distinctive square tail.

Harpagus (Double-toothed Kite):

  1. Double-toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus): Neotropics, unusual toothed beak.

Ictinia (Mississippi and Plumbeous Kites):

  1. Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis): North and South America.
  2. Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea): Neotropics.

Chondrohierax (Hook-billed Kite):

  1. Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus): Americas, specialized for eating snails.

Elanus (Elanus Kites – often called “white-tailed kites”):

  1. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris): Australia.
  2. White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus): Americas and Africa.
  3. Letter-winged Kite (Elanus scriptus): Australia.

Macheiramphus (Bat Hawk):

  1. Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus): Africa and Asia, crepuscular and hunts bats.

Gampsonyx (Pearl Kite):

  1. Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii): South America.

Rostrhamus (Snail Kite):

  1. Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis): Americas, highly specialized for eating apple snails.

6. Harriers

  • Description: Long-legged raptors with an owl-like facial disk.
  • Examples: Northern Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier.
  • Hunting Style: Low flight hunters, scanning grasslands for small mammals and birds.
List of Different Types of Raptors: Focus on Bird Conservation

Widely Distributed:

  1. Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus): Found in North America (where it’s called the Northern Harrier) and Eurasia.
  2. Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus): Breeds in Europe and Asia, migrates to Africa.
  3. Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus): Breeds in Eastern Europe and Asia, winters in Africa and South Asia.
  4. Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus): Widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Africa:

  1. African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus): Found in southern and central Africa.
  2. Black Harrier (Circus maurus): Found in southern Africa.

Asia:

  1. Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus): Found in Asia.
  2. Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos): Found in Asia.

Australia and Pacific:

  1. Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans): Found in Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific islands.
  2. Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis): Found in Australia and Indonesia.
  3. Papuan Harrier (Circus spilothorax): Found in New Guinea.

South America:

  1. Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus): Found in South America.
  2. Long-winged Harrier (Circus buffoni): Found in South America.

Island Endemics:

  1. Réunion Harrier (Circus maillardi): Found on Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
  2. Malagasy Harrier (Circus macrosceles): Found in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands.

7. Vultures

  • Description: Scavenging birds with bald heads adapted for feeding on carrion.
  • Examples: Turkey Vulture, Griffon Vulture, King Vulture.
  • Hunting Style: Primarily scavengers, locating carcasses using keen eyesight and smell.
List of Different Types of Raptors: Focus on Bird Conservation

Old World Vultures (Family Accipitridae):

  1. Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos): Africa, one of the largest and most powerful Old World vultures.

  2. Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus): Eurasia, also known as the Black Vulture (not to be confused with the New World Black Vulture).

  3. Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppelli): Africa, known for its high-altitude flight.

  4. White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus): Africa, sadly facing severe population declines.

  5. Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus): Widespread in Africa, Europe, and Asia, uses tools to crack eggs.

New World Vultures (Family Cathartidae):

  1. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura): Widespread in the Americas, excellent sense of smell.

  2. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus): Americas, often seen in groups.

  3. King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa): Central and South America, distinctive colorful head.

  4. Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus): South America, one of the largest flying birds in the world.

  5. California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus): North America, brought back from the brink of extinction through conservation e

8. Ospreys

  • Description: Specialized fish-eating raptors with reversible outer toes.
  • Examples: The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
  • Hunting Style: Dive feet-first into water to capture fish.
Types of Raptors: A Bird Conservation Perspective

  • Pandion haliaetus haliaetus: This is the nominate subspecies, found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

  • Pandion haliaetus carolinensis: Found in North America and the Caribbean, this subspecies is generally larger and darker than the nominate subspecies.

  • Pandion haliaetus ridgwayi: This subspecies is non-migratory and is found in the Caribbean. It’s similar in size to carolinensis but has paler head and breast feathers.

  • Pandion haliaetus cristatus: Found in Australia and the southwest Pacific, this is the smallest of the subspecies and has a darker necklace and paler crown.

9. Caracaras

  • Description: Opportunistic raptors with a mix of hunting and scavenging behaviors.
  • Examples: Crested Caracara, Southern Caracara.
  • Hunting Style: Ground-based hunters and scavengers in open grasslands.
Types of Raptors: A Bird Conservation Perspective

Within the Phalcoboenus genus (often called “mountain caracaras”):

  1. Carunculated Caracara (Phalcoboenus carunculatus): Found in the Andes of Ecuador and Colombia.

  2. Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus): Found in the Andes of South America.

  3. White-throated Caracara (Phalcoboenus albogularis): Found in the Andes of Chile and Argentina.

  4. Striated Caracara (Phalcoboenus australis): Found in the Falkland Islands.

Within the Caracara genus (the crested caracaras):

  1. Northern Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway): Found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

  2. Southern Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus): Found in South America.

Within the Milvago genus (smaller caracaras):

  1. Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima): Found in Central and South America.

  2. Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango): Found in southern South America.

And then there are two more distinct species often considered caracaras:

  1. Red-throated Caracara (Ibycter americanus): Found in Central and South America.

  2. Black Caracara (Daptrius ater): Found in the Amazon basin.

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