Page 122 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

BIRDS OF PREY
Families Pandionidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae
BIRDS OF PREY

HIS IS A MIXED GROUP, including birds WIDE SPAN
Vultures, such as this Egyptian Vulture, have
Tthat eat tiny insects, others that eat dead
very long wings, soaring on warm air with
animals, and some that catch their own prey little expenditure of energy.
up to the size of small deer. Mostly splendid
in flight, many are likely to remain perched
for hours on end between feeding forays, while
others are much more aerial, spending much
of the day aloft.

VULTURES
Including some of Europe’s biggest birds, the
vultures soar high up, using superb eyesight to The Osprey is a fish-eating specialist,
spot potential food on the ground: they eat meat, diving onto its prey from the air, while the
preferably freshly dead animals.They need warm, Short-toed Eagle is a “snake-eagle”, one of a
rising air or updraughts and live in southern largely African group with large, yellow eyes,
Europe and mountainous areas. a big head, and unfeathered legs.

EAGLES AND HAWKS FALCONS
Eagles are powerful hunters with large eyes, Big falcons catch large prey and eat infrequently,
powerful bills,and strong feet.Most have feathered spending long periods perched, but look
legs. Buzzards are smaller, less strong, in particular impressive in the air when they do fly; smaller
smaller-billed, birds but also majestic fliers. falcons may be much more active. Some eat
Harriers are hunters over open ground,flying low small mammals, others mostly insects or birds.
as they try to surprise prey at close range. Bird-
eating hawks such as the Sparrowhawk catch prey
by surprise in a short, fast dash. Kites have long,
notched tails that are swivelled, acting as rudders
in their elegant flight.

POWER
The Golden Eagle has
a powerful and
charismatic presence,
with a keen eye and
strong hooked bill.

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