What is a bird of prey?
The word raptor is derived from the Latin raptare, meaning ‘to seize’ and used to refer to a group of birds who hunt for meat. They are also known as raptors. Birds of Prey are characterized by powerful feet with sharp talons used to grip and kill their prey, hooked beaks which they use to tear the flesh and keen eyesight.

Eagles, Hawks, Buzzards, Harriers, Kites, Falcons, Kestrals, Owls, Vultures and Secretary birds are all birds of prey, varying considerably in size, appearance and hunting methods.

Birds of prey of Africa can be divided into ten main groups.

Vultures are large to very large raptors. Their wings are long and broad, well suited to soaring flight. Known for their scavenging habits, they have powerful beaks for tearing but less powerful feet as they do not kill their own prey.

Eagles are medium to very large raptors. Their wings are long, broad and adapted to soaring. Apart from your snake eagles; Bateleur and Fish Eagle, all have feathers down to their feet. They hunt from a perch or in soaring flight.

Kites are small to medium-sized raptors. Most have short, stocky, bare legs and fly with their long pointed wings slightly bent. Their tail dimensions are varied but forked or square in shape.

Harriers are medium-sized raptors with long narrow wings, tails and long legs. They usually fly low over the ground as they hunt, are light on the wing, making agile twisting dives at prey. They have an owl-like facial disc, indicating good hearing ability.

Buzzards are medium-sized, stocky raptors with broad, rounded heads. They have short legs and tails. Their wings are long, broad and rounded. They hunt mostly from perches or by hanging in the wind.

Goshawks and Sparrowhawks range from small to medium sized raptors. They have short, round wings and long tails which enables flight through wooded habitat. Most adults have fine barring on their underparts.

Falcons and Kestrels are very small to medium sized with long, narrow, pointed wings making them fast and agile. They have a large round head often with dark 'moustache' stripes on the cheeks.

Secretarybirds are very large with long legs, long centre tail feathers and floppy crest feathers. They walk on the ground for much of the time, and prefers open veld.

Owls are very small to large, known for their silent flight and nocturnal lifestyle (although some are in part diurnal). Their large rounded head with well defined facial disk and forward-facing eyes often has ear-like tufts of feathers. All are vocal and can be easily identified by their calls.