Influence of external appearance and biography on the name of birds of prey

Feathered predators. The most significant and recognizable group of birds. Bird-hunters and scavengers. All of them have good eyesight, large claws and sharp beaks.

The principle of hunting of some species of birds has affected their name. Birds of prey from the group of vultures are called scavengers for the reason that they are waiting for the moment when the victim falls by his own death to eat it.

A bird of prey is hunted with the feet, without using the beak. The term "predator" came from the Latin word "rapere", meaning "power grip". Killing the prey with claws, they tear it apart with its beak.

Day and night predators

On the Earth of birds of prey there are about 500 species. Their sizes vary greatly. The largest predator from the feathered squad is the male eagle, living in the upper Andes, and the smallest - the dwarf falcon that lives on the plains.

The very concept of "bird of prey" covers a large number of birds feeding on vertebrates and small insects. Often from the way of hunting for livestock there is also their name. Birds of prey are classified into two types:

• Day predators;
• night hunters.

The traditional classification now relates day predators to the family of Falconiformes, formally dividing them into five families. There are names of birds of prey in alphabetical order:

1. Accipitridae. A detachment of hawks. This includes eagles and buzzards.
2. Cathartidae. A detachment of vultures. Including condors.
3. Falconidae. A squad of falconry.
4. Pandionidae. Detachment of the Osprey. Sometimes it is classified as a subfamily.
5. Sagittariidae. Marabu squad. The bird secretary also belongs to him.

Night predators are united into one family - ovoid and have two subgroups:

1. Strigidae, or typical (normal) owls.
2. Tytonidae, or bay (bay- and shed-) owls.

These are two subgroups of birds that are not related to each other, but have a large morphological similarity and lead an identical lifestyle. Generalizes them only the similarity of life functions and the name. Birds of prey were called sanitarians of nature for their ability to identify the weak, sick fauna and destroy them.

Factors affecting the name of birds of prey

Some names of birds of prey do not correspond to one or other ornithological type. Historical names for birds were given either on the fact of external similarity, or in connection with the general conditions of their life activity.

• The Eagles. Large individuals, with wide long wings and powerful legs with plumage. Very large nests are being built.
• The osprey. They are inhabited all over the world. Medium sized individuals with long wings and relatively weak legs. The main kind of hunting is fishing. Due to this feature, this group was referred to as Serpent - this is their traditional name. Predator birds This group is building large nests.
• Hawks. The average size of birds living in the forests. They hunt in the air - they "beat in years", or dive for prey in the water. They have a rather long tail, which serves as a steering wheel in flight.
• Falcons. The most common group of avian predators. They live everywhere. They hunt for medium and small vertebrates. They have acute vision and excellent hearing. Rarely build their own nests. Often arranged in tree hollows or occupy abandoned nests of other birds. Can lay eggs in rock formations.

Variety of species of the feathered world

Birds of prey are a very diverse species of the feathered world. They are different in appearance, habitat, way of life, nature of nesting. There are giants and dwarfs.

The most interesting feature of birds of prey is their sexual dimorphism. This phenomenon consists in a strong difference in size between males and females. Many birds of prey, the names and photos of which can be found in every issue of the zoological edition, have a pronounced sexual dimorphism. Females of some species of falcons and hawks are almost twice as large as males. An exception to this rule can only be scavengers - females and males of this species are practically indistinguishable.