Raptors, Frogmouths & Nightjars – Birds of Prey
The word Raptor is derived from the latin: “raptore” meaning ‘a robber’ and “rapere” meaning ‘to seize’. This definition comes from raptors’ unique ability to capture prey with their Feet, the key feature which makes them differ from other birds.
Raptors include Eagles, Hawks, Kites, Falcons, Kestrel, Baza, Osprey, Harriers, Owls and a Buzzard (when I find one)
Frogmouths and Nightjars are not strictly raptors but are often grouped with them due to their similarities to owls (resulting from an evolutionary phenomenon known as ‘convergence’).
Frogmouths and Nightjars are also included although they take their prey with their mouths.
Eagles, Sea-Eagle & Osprey
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Falcon Family
This is the Falco species
It includes Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) and Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis) as well as other species with Falcon in their name.
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Frogmouths & Nightjars
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Goshawks and Sparrowhawk
The Accipiter family
There are only three species: the Grey Goshawk that has a grey and white morph, the Brown Goshawk and Collared Sparrowhawk the latter two can be very similar. These are often the subject to lively discussions on Bird identification sites.
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Harriers
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Kites
Kites also includes the Pacific Baza
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Owls
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