Raptors

Raptors or birds of prey as they are more commonly know, are the largest birds. The largest Raptor in Europe is the Golden Eagle, which can be found in Northern Ireland. Bald Eagles are not native to Ireland, they can be light brown or dark brown from the neck down. Their heads and their tail feathers are always white and it is because of this they look bald. They are not to common in most of the world but in Alaska they are as common as crows and are even thought of as pests!

There are two different types of kites in Europe The Red Kite is native to Ireland, but got poisoned to extinction, it is now being reintroduced to Ireland thanks to the ISPCA The Black Kite is like the Red Kite but darker and native Eastern Europe

Owls, Owls are in their own owl family but can also be thought of as in the Raptor family.

Owls Barn Owl Scopes Owl

Owls Little Owl Long-eared Owls

The foot of a Raptor is called a Talon

Fish, Rabbits, Hares, Small birds, Rodents, Squirrels, Frogs, Pine Martians, Ferrets, Fox Cubs, Stoats, Insects, Beetles, Snakes, Monkeys and dead animal carcasses are all the different things Raptors eat.

Peregrine Falcons are the fastest bird in the world and can go up to 390 kilometers per hour! Peregrine and red footed falcons are part of the Falcon group of Raptors. Another bird you may have heard of called the Kestrel is also in the Falcon family.

Eagles There are lots of different types of Eagle, Such as the Tawny Eagle, the Bald Eagle, the Booted Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Harpy Eagle and the Golden Eagle. Most Eagles are larger then other Raptors except some Vultures and the Bald Eagle is a famous symbol of America

Hawks Hawks are medium to small birds of prey. There are 270 types of hawk and they can be found hunting in all different habitats from bogs to forests and mountains to grasslands.

Hunting with Birds of Prey Long ago in the Middle Ages and the Saxon era people use to go hunting with birds of prey, the type of bird you got depended on how important you were. If you were a common woman you would get a Falcon or Merlin, [as pictured in previous slides] if you were a common man you would get a Sparrow Hawk, if you were close to the King, you would get a buzzard, harrier, large hawk or small eagle and if you were a King you would get a Golden Eagle or some other large eagle.

Raptor Groups The Buzzard Group [Also contains Red and Black Kites] The Owl Group

Raptor Groups The Vultures Group The Hawks Group

Raptor Groups The Eagle Group The Falcon Group

The End By Kirsty With thanks to Karina: for keeping me company and entertaining me with funny pictures Graham and Ms Boylan: for letting me use this computer And all the people who help birds and birds of prey.