Raptors of Louisiana: The Birds of Prey! Eagles, Falcons, Harriers, Hawks, Kestrels, Kites, Ospreys, Owls, and Vultures (Wildlife of North America and other educational books.) Hardcover – June 3, 2023

What is a raptor? Raptor in Latin means “to seize and carry off.” That is often what we think of these birds doing when they attack whatever their prey items may be. They are usually medium sized to large birds that like to hunt and kill other animals for food. Along with their large size, they are also known for having large, sharp talons (claws), high speeds, curved flesh tearing beaks, and impressive appearances.Raptors are also called “birds of prey” because that is exactly what they do, they prey on other living organisms and eat meat. Some will eat carrion, but most of these birds like fresh meat of some kind. They can be varied in what they eat, though some may prefer just fish, other bird species, or some specific item.There are over 500 different raptor species in the world, and they show variations in size, appearance, diet, habitat, and much more. The eagle, falcon, harrier, hawk, kestrel, kite, osprey, owl, and vulture are just some of the raptor categories. We will cover at least one bird from each of these groups.Many raptors are used as symbols of pride and power. Countries, businesses, schools, sports teams, company products, and more use these birds as mascots. Read more