The raptors and the owls are distantly related and are classified in separate orders however, their evolution has been convergent, both groups of birds adapting to a predatory lifestyle. They can be divided into species that hunt during daylight, the raptors, and into species that hunt during the night, the owls. Using this cluster of anatomical and behavioural features, the species listed below are usually known to be birds of prey in ornithology.
![birds of prey meaning birds of prey meaning](https://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/images/8626/1_falcon.jpg)
![birds of prey meaning birds of prey meaning](https://animal-human-relationship.pictures-of-cats.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Shaheen_falcon.jpg)
By way of an example, the narrower definition excludes storks and gulls, which can eat quite large fish, partly because these birds catch and kill prey entirely with their beaks, and similarly bird-eating skuas, fish-eating penguins, and vertebrate-eating kookaburras are excluded. Most also eat carrion at least occasionally and the vultures and condors eat carrion as their main food source. Birds of prey generally prey on vertebrates, which are usually quite large relative to the size of the bird. Most birds of prey also have strong curved talons for catching or killing prey. In ornithology, and the definition used here, the term has a narrower meaning for birds that have very good eyesight for finding food, strong feet for holding food, and a strong curved beak for tearing flesh. Taken literally the term “bird of prey” has a wide meaning that includes many birds that hunt and feed on animals and also birds that eat very small insects. They fly almost silently due to special feather structure to reduce turbulence.
![birds of prey meaning birds of prey meaning](https://www.birdspot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/northern-goshawk.jpg)
The common names for various birds of prey are based on structure but many of the traditional names do not reflect the evolutionary relationships between the groups (Image Courtesy of Shyamal) Many species of bird may be considered partly or exclusively predatory however, in ornithology the term “bird of prey” applies only to birds of the families listed below. Because of their predatory lifestyle, often at the top of the food chain, they face distinct conservation concerns. The term “raptor” is derived from the Latin word rapere (meaning to seize or take by force) and may refer informally to all birds of prey, or specifically to the diurnal group. In most cases, the females are considerably larger than the males. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing flesh. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily via flight, using their keen senses, especially vision.