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Raptors are a type of bird that preys on other animals. Distinguishing characteristics include a hooked beak and sharp talons. Unlike other types of birds that also prey on animals, robins and pelicans for instance, raptors use their feet to catch their food. Robins and pelicans use their beaks to catch worms and fish. Hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls are examples of raptors.

Some birds are 'trained' to sit on the glove. Birds that can do this are considered 'manned.' 'Manning' a bird is a long process done by a single individual working with a single bird. Once a bird accepts the equipment it must wear and accepts the person who has been 'training' it, the bird must then learn to accept other people handling it. Then it must learn to accept having a group of people around it, looking at it, talking about it, etc. These are just the first steps in becoming a Birds of Prey Center traveling education bird. Before the bird can travel and visits schools and exhibits, it must also learn to accept large crowds of people and riding in the van. How many species of raptors are there in North America and in North and South Carolina? A definite "count" for each region is difficult because different reference books give different answers. About twenty species of birds of prey are found in the Carolinas, some commonly, some only as rare visitors. Approximately fifty species of birds of prey occur in North America.

The largest raptor, by wingspan and weight, native to the United States is the California condor. Its wingspan reaches 9 feet and weight ranges from 9 to 10 kg (20-23 lbs). The smallest raptor native to the United States is the elf owl, found in southwestern states. It weighs just 40-50 grams, or about 1.5 ounces.

A definite "count" for each region is difficult because different reference books give different answers. About twenty species of birds of prey are found in the Carolinas, some commonly, some only as rare visitors. Approximately fifty species of birds of prey occur in North America.

Birds of prey in general have excellent eyesight, but different species are adapted for different life styles. Some owl species have very large eyes with many light-sensitive cells. These birds can take advantage of low light level conditions and surprise their prey, but they cannot see in complete darkness. Hawks, falcons and eagles, on the other hand, have eyes adapted to observe prey that is moving, even at a great distance. Many raptors have binocular vision similar to humans. The eyes are positioned such that their respective visual fields overlap to some extent. It is a common myth that owls cannot see during daylight. In fact, owls are not blinded by daylight and can see perfectly well.

Barn Owls have determined that this particular species can successfully catch live prey in total darkness, using their extraordinary sense of hearing. How well do owls hear? Most owls have excellent hearing. One reason is a face shaped like two large funnels, called a facial disk. These two funnels, made of stiff feathers, literally direct sound into the ears. The ear openings are located slightly asymmetrical, one above the other, on each side of the face. Researchers working with bald eagles , add on to their nest each year. The results can be very large stick nests, weighing hundreds of pounds. Some owls, such as the eastern screech owl and barred owl , nest in cavities. Some species do not construct nests of their own, but rather take over old nests from other species. What kind of nest do raptors build and do they use the same nest year after year? They do reuse the same nest if the area is still suitable. Some raptors, like eastern screech owl are easy prey due to their size. Therefore, if the screech owl survives its first two years it could live up to an average of 8 years. A raptor such as the red-tailed hawk that survives its first years How long do raptors live? Longevity depends on the species and size of the bird. As a general estimate, small raptors like the could live an average life of between 10 and 15 years. Eagles, the largest of all raptors in the Carolinas, if they survive their juvenile years have an average life expectancy of 20 to 30 years!

Raptors have been observed from and struck by airplanes at over 30,000 ft.