Raptors of the World

When we hear the word raptor we automatically think about the velociraptor, the star of the Jurassic Park Trilogy. Believe it or not, we still have raptors among us today, although they may not look similar they do share a lot of things in common. Modern day raptors include Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, Vultures, Kites, and Owls. All raptors are known as Birds of prey, because like there ancestors, they are carnivores. Other similarities include talons that are use to kill or hold there food, Great eye sight, and a recent discovery shows evidence that the velociraptor may have been covered in primitive feathers instead of scales. And unfortunately may of our modern day raptors are sharing the same fate as there long lost ancestor. Studies show that in the pass 200 years 11 spices of birds of prey have gone extinct and 32 spices have become endangered. You may be thinking "Ok, but what purpose do they serve on the earth." Well to begin with, they keep the pest numbers down just like any other predator, but unlike any other predator a vulture can eat some type of roadkill that may have come down with a very deadly virus and it would not effect the vulture. That's because the vulture has really strong stomach acids that can kill anything that enters in. Raptors are also being use today at airports to hunt the little birds that would usually get sucked into a commercial airplane's turbine, destroying it and possibly the plane as well. And to me they are the most amazing creature on the planet. Please help aid in making the world more aware of the importance on these birds. If you would like to search anything about these birds, there is a search engine at the bottom of the page that you can use. Thank you for your time.

List of Endangered Raptors as of 2009

Crowned Solitary Eagle
Philippine Eagle*
Javan Hawk-Eagle*
Madagascar Fish Eagle*
Madagascar Serpent Eagle
Gundlach's Hawk
Rideway's Hawk*
Indian White-Rummped Vulture*
Indian Vulture*
Slender-Billed Vulture*
Egyptian Vulture
Red-Headed Vulture*
California Condor*
Saker Falcon
Forest Owlet*
Blakiston's Fish Owl
Rufous Fishing-Owl
Perrnambuco Pygmy Owl*
New Caledonian Boobook*
Sokoke Scops Owl
Flores Scops Owl
Biak Scops Owl
Seychelles Scops Owl
Comoro Scops Owl*
Siau Scops Owl*
Anjouan Scops Owl*
Mohei Scops Owl*
Serendib Scops Owl
Long-Whiskered Owl

* = Critically Endangered

Philippine Eagle( Pithecophaga jefferyi )

Founded in 1897, the Philippine Eagle is said to be a huge eagle(one of the largest eagles living today) growing up to 2'10"-3'4" with a large, deep bill and elongated nape feathers forming a "shaggy" crest. It has a dark face with a creamy-buff crown and nape. Upper parts are dark brown while the under parts are white. This eagle lives in the Philippines and it's population is currently at some 180-500 birds, but the numbers are decreasing due to forest destruction and fragmentation. The locals also hunt these birds for food and zoo exhibits.


Here is a video made by taffytim10 on youtube:

Javan Hawk Eagle(Spizaetus bartelsi)

Found in 1924 by Stresemann, the Javan Hawk Eagle can grow up to 2' and is said to be a medium-sized, forest dwelling eagle. The crown and moustachial of the adult are black and it's crest is also black with with white tips. It's a chestnut color on the sides of the head and nape. It's back and wings are a dark brown and it has a long brown tail with bands of black. Under parts are white with brown bands. It's population is said to be at some 600-900 birds but there numbers are decreasing because of habitat loss and trade.

Author: Irawan Subingar

Madagascar Fish Eagle(Haliaeetus vociferoides)

Founded in 1845 by Des Murs, the Madagascar Fish Eagle can grow up to 2'4". It's said to be a large fish eagle with a dark reddish-brown back and upper body, dark brown cap, with whitish cheeks and throat. It also has dark brown wings and a rather short tail. It's population is a 220 birds and falling due to deforestation, soil erosion and the development of wetlands areas.

Author: Frank Vassen

Gundlach's Hawk(Accipiter gundlachi)

Founded in 1860 by Lawrence, the Gundlach's Hawk can grow to 1'5"-1'8". It's said to be a medium-sized, stocky forest raptor. Adults have dark blue-grey upper parts with a blackish cap and whitish underparts. It's population is at some 300-400 birds and is decreasing due to habitat loss, logging activities, and human persecution, because it preys on the local farms chickens.

Author: © Nils Navarro, 2007.