About Birds And Their Prey

Introduction

For most city dwellers, birds are primarily defined by crows, pigeons and the occasional sparrow. But did you know that there exist more than 10,000 species of birds on earth? These birds are the ultimate survivors. They evolved during the time of the dinosaurs – about 160 million years ago. Birds have an uncanny ability to find food in the harshest of conditions. Some species of birds are vegetarian while other birds prey upon a variety of creatures including fish and small vertebrates. Below are the some of the best avian predators.

The peregrine falcon: These birds prey upon other birds. They are one of the most widespread species of falcons on the earth. The only regions where they do not exist are the poles, tropical forests and the country of New Zealand. The peregrine falcon is an amazing predator. It has a typical hunting move which is known as the ‘dive’. The peregrine flies high up into the sky and then comes down at full speed to surprise its prey. It is said to reach speeds of over 320 km per hour. This makes the peregrine falcon the fastest animal on Earth. These birds prey upon pigeons and other small birds. They are quite rightly known as ‘raptors’.

The owl: This bird has an air of mysticism about it. This is quite justified if one takes a look at its hunting style. These birds prey upon small rodents. They are able to perceive the little sounds that a rodent makes while it moves. Owls are also equipped with very large eyes which enable them to hunt at night.

The eagle: This is perhaps the most well known of all the birds of prey. Eagles sit at the top of the food chain and are among the most skilled hunters on the planet. These birds prey upon a variety of creatures – snakes, rats, rabbits, fish and other small vertebrates like prairie dogs. Eagles can weigh up to 7 kg and often these birds prey upon animals which are as heavy as themselves. They have a very wide wingspan and superb eyesight. A very sharp beak and equally sharp talons enable them to rip their prey into pieces. Eagles have much cultural significance in many parts of the world. In the Hindu religion, the eagle (garuda) is considered to be the mount of Lord Vishnu.

The penguin: Penguins look innocuous and cute but the truth is that these birds are fierce predators. They have adapted to extreme conditions and compensate their inability to fly by being brilliant swimmers. These birds prey upon fish and other aquatic creatures. The largest species of penguins are the Emperor penguins. These can grow up to 3.7 feet in height and 35 kg in weight.

The peafowl: Peacocks are often said to be the most beautiful of the birds. They are the national bird of India, but do not be fooled by their beauty as these birds are very efficient hunters. These birds prey upon small snakes and other reptiles. They also fancy the occasional frog or toad.

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