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Line 1: − [[Image:Galapagos hawk.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A [[Galápagos Islands|Galápagos]] hawk]] + − + − A '''[[bird]] of prey''' is one which feeds on small animals such as [[rodents]], other birds or [[fish]]. Unlike most other birds, their eyes are towards the front of their head, allowing them to focus on prey over a great distance. They usually fly very high to view a wide area, before diving down to attack when they see a small creature moving.+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − Examples of birds of prey include [[hawk]]s, [[eagles]], [[owl]]s, [[buzzard]]s, [[kestrel]]s, [[falcon]]s and [[merlin]]s. Some birds of prey can be trained for use in the sport of [[falconry]], a form of hunting which was especially popular among the [[aristocracy]] in [[Europe]] during the [[middle ages]].+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
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{{Taxonomy
|name=Bird or Prey
|image=Galapagos hawk.jpg
|caption=Galapagos Hawk<br/>''Buteo galapagoensis''
|domain=Eukaryota
|kingdom=Animalia
|subkingdom=Bilateria
|branch=Deuterostomia
|superphylum=
|phylum=Chordata
|subphylum=Vertebrata
|infraphylum=Gnathostomata
|microphylum=
|superdivision=
|division=
|subdivision=
|superclass=Tetrapoda
|class=Aves
}}
'''[[Bird]] of prey''' is the generic term for birds within the orders of [[Falconiformes]] (hawks, falcons, vultures, etc) and [[Strigiformes]] (owls), and characterized by the active hunting and killing of prey animals with their feet.
==Description==
Although not closely related, members of Falconiformes and Strigiformes share similar characteristics which enable them to be successful hunters. Both have extremely powerful vision, enabling hawks to see rabbits with clarity at distances greater than a quarter of a mile, or owls to detect a mouse in near-total darkness. Both possess hooked bills made for tearing flesh. And both possess talons capable of killing their prey as soon as a strike is made.
==Families==
Falconiformes are daylight (diurnal) hunters, consisting of five families and more than 200 species:
*[[Accipitridae]]
::[[Eagle]]s, [[hawk]]s, harriers, kites, vultures.
*[[Cathartidae]]
::[[Condor]]s, New World vultures.
*[[Falconidae]]
::[[Falcon]]s, [[caracara]]s.
*[[Pandionidae]]
::[[Osprey]].
*[[Sagittariidae]]
::[[Secretary bird]].
Strigiformes are nocturnal, hunting only at night, and consist of two families of more than 120 species:
*[[Strigidae]]
::Typical owls.
*[[Tytonidae]]
::Barn and bay owls.
[[Category: Birds]]
[[Category: Birds]]