These falcons are among the most recognizable urban birds, often making their nests on skyscrapers and other tall buildings while patrolling the skies in search of pigeons to feed on.

Thankfully, DDT was banned in the 1970s, and peregrines have been thriving ever since. The pesticide DDT almost wiped these impressive birds out in the 1960s, poisoning them and preventing successful breeding due to the unnatural thinning of their eggshells.

They’re a common sight worldwide, but it wasn’t always this way. Peregrine falcons can be found on every continent except Antarctica. The peregrine falcon isn’t just the fastest raptor – this bird’s 200-mile-per-hour (321.9-kilometre-per-hour) nosedive means it is widely considered to be the quickest animal on Earth! Peregrine falconīuilt for speed, the peregrine falcon’s anatomy allows it to fly at an unbelievable pace. The falconet’s small size means it’s able to take advantage of ready-made nest holes – these raptors frequently roost in holes previously occupied by barbets or woodpeckers, laying and incubating small clutches of eggs inside them. Unlike most birds of prey, falconets hunt in groups, scouring forests, rivers and human-inhabited areas for smaller creatures to snack on. The black-thighed falconet’s hunting skills make it a frightening prospect for the insects, lizards and birds it feeds on. It might be cute, but looks can be deceiving. The black-thighed falconet’s diminutive dimensions make it the smallest bird of prey at a mere 17 centimeters (6,7 inches) in length. While many raptors are impressively large, others are adorably tiny. If two chicks are born in a clutch, the stronger of the pair will often kill its sibling, thereby immediately eliminating competition for food. The crowned eagle’s fierce nature can be observed from a young age. One of the eagle’s favourite hunting methods involves waiting silently in trees for unsuspecting animals to drop down on, then snatching their prey from the ground and carrying it up into the treetops to feed on it safely away from any ground-based scavengers. Smaller prey species include monkeys, mongooses, feral cats, rodents, monitor lizards and even venomous snakes. It relies on a number of brutal killing strategies to take down prey: some victims have their spines snapped by the eagle’s large hind daw, while others may have their skull crushed within its vlce-like talons.Īmong the crowned eagle’s most noteworthy prey are antelope such as buckbucks and duikers – this raptor is capable of killing ungulates weighing up to 30 kilograms (66.1 pounds), tearing apart their bodies and carrying away chunks of flesh to eat over the course of several days. This striking African eagle dominates the forests it lives in, preying on mammals and reptiles up to five times its size and weight. While many raptors are known for their strength and ferocity, the crowned eagle is the most powerful. We bring you some of the world’s most remarkable raptors and the unique adaptations that allow them to rule the roost. Many birds of prey are endangered, some critically, although there is some cause for hope conservation efforts have proven that raptors are resilient enough to repopulate their old territories and soar through the skies once more if given enough support. Other raptors, such as owls, use stealth to their advantage keen senses, quiet movement and the cover of night allow these nocturnal birds of prey to thrive where others would struggle.ĭespite their seemingly invincible anatomies, raptors aren’t immune to the human dangers that plague wildlife worldwide. Large raptors like eagles dominate the food chain by using powerful wings, large talons and brute strength to overwhelm their prey. These impressive flying predators, commonly known as birds of prey, are characterized by their talent for hunting larger vertebrates than most birds are capable of killing.Įach species of raptor has a particular set of specialisms, helping them to hunt, breed and survive in their chosen habitat.

Largest bird of prey