EAGLES, BUZZARDS, HAWKS, HARRIERS, KITES, OWLS & THE SECRETARY BIRD

These raptors have laterally compressed beaks which is purely designed for breaking into the soft tissue of their prey. They do not use use their beaks to kill prey with and rely on their feet and talons to do this.

Falcons have a tubular beak and when they "feak"(cleaning their beaks after eating,usually on a rock or hard surface) a wearing action creates a "tomiel" tooth which is situate on the lower edge of the upper mandible. This "tomiel" tooth allows them to dispatch prey instantly by severing the preys neck. Kestrels and Hobbys have similar structured beaks but do not have the "tomiel" tooth.

EAGLE

HAWK

SECRETARY BIRD

OWL

FALCON

KESTREL

HOBBY

talons

wings

Raptors have various beak designs to allow them to dispatch and devour their specific prey types.

Vultures evolved as carion eaters and their beaks are exceptionally strong to enable them to deal with a variety of carcasses in order to break through hides and in certain cases can even cope with elephant hide.

calls

eyes

B E A K S

VULTURES

FALCONS, KESTRELS & HOBBYS

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