The diurnal birds of prey, also known as birds of prey, are an extensive group of animals belonging to the order Falconiformes composed of more than 309 species. They differ, mainly, from the nocturnal birds of prey that belong to the order Strigiformes, due to their style of flight, totally silent in this last group, and due to the shape of their body.
In this article on our site we will learn the names of diurnal birds of prey, their characteristics and much more. Likewise, we will also delve into the differences with respect to nocturnal birds of prey.
Characteristics of diurnal birds of prey
The group of diurnal birds of prey is very heterogeneous and they are not very related to each other. Despite this, they have certain characteristics in common that make them distinguishable:
- They present a cryptic plumage that allows them to blend in exceptionally well with their environment.
- They have strong, very sharp claws to catch their prey and are used to hold and tear meat. Their feet are sometimes feathered for protection if they live in cold climates.
- They have a sharp curved beak that they use mainly for tearing and butchering prey. The size of the bill varies depending on the species and the type of prey animal they hunt.
- Your sense of sight is very sharp, about ten times more than that of a human being.
- Some birds of prey, such as vultures, have an extremely developed sense of smell, allowing them to detect decomposing animals from several kilometers away.
Differences between diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey
Both diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey have common characteristics, such as claws and a beak. However, they have different characters that make it easy to tell them apart:
- Night birds of prey have a head with a more rounded shape, allowing them to better perceive sounds.
- Another feature that distinguishes them is that They can share space but not time, that is, when the diurnal birds of prey go to their resting place, the nocturnal birds of prey begin their daily routine.
- Night Raptors' vision is dark-adapted, being able to see in total darkness. Diurnals have an excellent sense of sight, but need light.
- Night birds of prey are able to detect the slightest sound thanks to the physiognomy of their ears, placed on both sides of the head but one higher than the other.
- The feathers of nocturnal birds of prey are different from those of the diurnal ones because have a velvety appearance which serves to reduce the sound during the flight.
List of diurnal birds of prey
The group of diurnal birds of prey is made up of more than 300 different species, so we will see, in depth, some of the most representative:
1. Red-headed Vulture (Cathartes aura)
The Red-headed Vulture is what is known as the "new world vulture" and belongs to the cathartid family. Their populations are spread throughout the American continent with the exception of northern Canada, although their breeding areas are limited to Central and South America. It is a scavenger animal It has black plumage and a red plucked head, its wingspan is 1.80 meters. It lives in many different habitats, from the Amazon rainforest to the Rocky Mountains.
two. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
The golden eagle is a fairly cosmopolitan bird. It is found throughout Asia, Europe, parts of North Africa, and the western United States. This species occupies a wide range of habitats, flat or mountainous, from sea level to 4,000 meters. In the Himalayas it has been seen at more than 6,200 meters of altitude.
It is a carnivorous animal with a very varied diet, as it can hunt mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, insects and also carrion. Their prey does not exceed 4 kilograms in weight. They usually hunt in pairs or small groups.
3. Common goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
The common goshawk or northern goshawk inhabits the entire northern hemisphereexcept for the polar and circumpolar zone. It is a medium-sized bird of prey, with a wingspan of about 100 centimeters. It is characterized by having the entire belly muddy with the colors black and white. The dorsal part of its body and wings are dark gray. Inhabits forests, preferring areas near the edge of the forest and clearings. Their diet is based on small birds and small mammals
4. Common Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
The Common Sparrowhawk or Eurasian Sparrowhawk inhabits many regions of the Eurasian continent and North Africa. They are migratory birds. In winter they migrate to southern Europe and Asia and in summer they return to the North. They are solitary birds of prey, except when they nest. Their nests are placed in the trees of the forests where they live, near open areas where they can hunt small birds
5. Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos)
The Lappet-faced vulture or loot-faced vulture is an endangered species endemic to Africa. In fact, it has already disappeared from many regions that it once inhabited.
Its plumage is brown and it has a beak that is larger, harder and stronger than the rest of the vulture species. This species lives in dry savannahs, arid plains, deserts, and open mountain slopes. It is primarily an animal scavenger, but it is also known to hunt small reptiles, mammals or fish
6. Secretary (Sagittarius serpentarius)
The secretary raptor is found in the Sub-Saharan Africa, from southern Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, and northern Guinea eastward to southern Africa. It lives in grasslands, from open plains to lightly wooded savannas, but is also found in agricultural and sub-desert areas.
Feeds on a wide variety of prey, mainly insects and rodents, but also other mammals, lizards, snakes, eggs, birds young and amphibians. The main characteristic of this bird is that, although it flies, it prefers to walk. In fact, does not hunt its prey from the air, but strikes it with its long, strong legs. The species is considered vulnerable to extinction.
More examples of diurnal birds of prey
Have you been wanting to know more species? These are the names of other diurnal birds of prey:
- Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
- King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
- Iberian imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti)
- Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)
- Eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca)
- Rapacious Eagle (Aquila rapax)
- Cape Eagle (Aquila verreauxii)
- African goshawk eagle (Aquila spilogaster)
- Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
- Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
- Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
- Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus)
- African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)
- Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
- Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
- Kernicale (Falco tinnunculus)
- Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)
- Farm Hawk (Falco subbuteo)
- Merlin (Falco columbarius)
- Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)
