Raptors

The raptor family includes eagles, hawks, and vultures. As opposed to owls that hunt at night, raptors hunt by sight during the day or dusk. All raptors also scavenge carcasses. Long-lived and monogamous, raptors are highly adapted for soaring and equipped with sharp and strong hooked beaks and muscular legs. Female raptors are usually larger than the males—an example of reverse sexual dimorphism.

The only eagles found in North America are the bald and golden, but they are not closely related. Eagle eyesight is four to eight times better than humans’ at distance, and they are able to spot a rabbit at 2 miles. With wind assistance, eagles are able to carry prey weighing up to 15 pounds. Larger prey may be eaten at the site or dismem-bered and carried away.

Hawks are 16 to 22 inches long and weigh 1 to 3 pounds. In other areas of the world, hawks are called buzzards, a name applied to vultures in North America. Among the most common hawks are the Cooper’s, northern goshawk, red-tailed, and red-shouldered.

Vultures are primarily scavengers, but black vultures are an exception, actively preying on stock, poultry, and pets. Black vultures feed in groups, surrounding their prey. They are often attracted to carcasses first located by the turkey vulture, which has a greater sense of smell. Black vultures gather together in roosts as large as 1,000 birds, and their population and range are growing. 

Jan Dohner lives on her family farm in Michigan. She is the author of The Encyclopedia of Animal Predators (Storey Publishing, 2017). Learn more at jandohner.com.

SIGNS OF A VISIT

• Entire bird or small animal may be missing, although some feathers may be left behind.

• Carcass may show talon punctures, which are deeper and less crushing than tooth punctures.

TO DETER

• Cover coops and runs.

• Cover larger areas with wire or reflective Mylar tape.

• Remove perching sites from the area and provide shelters for poultry.

• Use electric netting to cover areas for pastured poultry.

• Protect vulnerable newborn animals and their mothers.