Raptors are prey animals. Birds that hunt for food use physical devices such as extremely strong eye sights, very sharp heels (sharp claws), and exceptional agility in flight.
Raptors are direct descendants of velociraptor dinosaurs (dinosaurs with bird-like hips sitting on 2 legs). Raptors have very strong legs and flexible legs with very straight curved toes. They have tightly hooked beaks, too. Parrots have even stronger hooked beaks, but never use them to break meat; rather, they are used to open hard fruit and nuts. While other birds have very strong legs, such as the Ostrich, none of them can grab like a raptor, nor do they have very sharp claws.
One of the major distinctions is the forward-facing eyes, i.e. binocular vision, which allows them to determine precisely the distances between themselves and their prey, and the thickening of the 'eye-brows' in, the adaptation to block light and allow them to concentrate better – and this are what gives them a hooded appearance, or a majestic 'eagle' look. This is a predator adaptation.
Amount of migratory raptor species that visit Malaysia
25 species
The average number of species of raptors in the world
421 [288 diurnal (day raptors) and 133 nocturnal (night raptors)].
Number of local raptor species
46 species (resident & migrants)
Largest species of migratory raptor in Malaysia
The Greater Spotted Eagle.
Largest species of local raptor
White-Bellied Sea Eagle.
Smallest species of migratory raptor
The Eurasian Kestrel (14 inches).
Smallest species of local raptor
Black-thighed Falconet.
Types of prey for raptor
Rodents, chicken, other birds, other smaller raptors, bee or wasps’ larvae, insects, fish, and reptiles.
Types of habitats where local and migratory raptors can be found
Seaside, forests, paddy-fields, open country, riversides, towns, practically everywhere.
How to identify a raptor– what makes a raptor different from other birds?
Raptors have very strong legs and flexible legs with very straight curved toes. They have tightly hooked beaks, too. Parrots have even stronger hooked beaks, but never use them to break meat; rather, they are used to open hard fruit and nuts. While other birds have very strong legs, such as the Ostrich, none of them can grab like a raptor, nor do they have very sharp claws. One of the major distinctions is the forward-facing eyes, i.e. binocular vision, which helps them to determine the gap between themselves and their prey, and the thickening of the 'eye-brows' in, the adaptation to block light and help them concentrate better – and this are what gives them a hooded appearance, or a majestic 'eagle' look. This is a predator adaptation.
Why are birds of prey known as raptors?
Raptors are direct descendants of velociraptor dinosaurs (dinosaurs with bird-like hips sitting on 2 legs).
Sources: Malaysian Nature Society
Author: Shobana Manokaran
Exotic creature
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