R is for ......

Today, I will talk about a group of birds. In the past, most people called them birds of prey but it turned out that some were distant relatives and the more precise term was Raptor.

• Eagles 

The supposedly biggest of the bird of prey. Famous for snatching off the young of farm or wild animals. Later I discovered that it was not above stealing the catches of other predators. 

• Kites

Long wings and weaker legs. This usually means more gliding than flapping. The prey would also exclude small 4 legged animals.

• Hawks

When people talk about eagle-eyed, what they actually meant is hawk-eyed. These are the larger raptors that make the blitz attacks on smaller prey. Why few fighters are names after hawks is a mystery to me. 

• Buzzards

Some people would think that I am talking about vultures. Buzzards are lumped together with vultures in America. These birds are occasionally lumped together with Kites too.  

 

• Falcons

When you see people using raptors to hunt, falcons are usually the most common of the lot. They fly fast and are sharp-eyed. This means lesser waiting time during the hunt. The fact that they are the smallest of the lot helps the falconer too. The bird is perched on their wrist most of the time.