Raptors or Birds of prey include species of birds that primarily hunt and feed on other birds or animal that are large relative to the hunter. Additionally, they have keen eyesight for detecting food at a distance or during flight, strong feet equipped with talons for grasping or killing prey, and powerful, curved beaks for tearing flesh.
The term raptor is derived from the Latin word rapio, meaning to seize or take by force. In addition to hunting live prey, most also eat decaying flesh or dead animals, at least occasionally, and vultures eat carrion as their main food source.
