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birds of prey

If you were in a group of people and asked each person what animal they would most like to be, then you could likely bank on the fact that few, if any, would want to be a bird. Most people associate birds with either domesticated fowl that is eaten or the small songbirds that flit around the yard. Yet if you really give it some thought, birds of prey are incredibly impressive. These birds are smart, fast and strong, and have keen senses. Let someone else choose to be a lion; if you go with a bird of prey you will definitely have the upper hand.

Birds of prey are a large group in the bird classification. You have the smaller falcons and hawks but you also have the “jumbo jets” of the family. The Eagle is an American icon. It is a huge bird that can have a wingspan of up to 96 inches and can weigh as much as 15 pounds. They are excellent hunters and can eat anything from fish to small mammals.

While the Eagle family has some of the largest birds, there are other groups that are predators as well. You have undoubtedly heard of people using falcons and hawks as game birds. This is not a reference to someone eating the birds but instead it is the birds that are used as hunting weapons. It is not easy to gentle a falcon or a hawk. These are wild birds that come equipped with razor sharp talons and beaks that can easily tear flesh. Gentling a hunting bird requires time and a lot of patience. They have to be trained to return to their coop or the hunter’s gloved arm.

People have an intense fascination with birds of prey. Even the fact that they are merciless hunters does not dissuade people from admiring their grace and their keen hunting skills. They have eyesight that is far superior to a human’s eye and when combined with speed and sharp hearing you have a bird of immense capabilities. So let other people choose a lion as their favorite animal. You will know that the bird of prey is far superior.

Filed under: 01-Articles on April 25th, 2009