What Is a Raptor?

A raptor (or bird of prey) is a bird that hunts other animals for food. Raptors have three key features: razor-sharp TALONS (curved claws) for grabbing and killing prey, a hooked BEAK for tearing meat, and incredible EYESIGHT for spotting prey from high in the sky. Eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, ospreys, and vultures are all raptors. These birds sit at the top of the food chain — they are aerial apex predators. Raptors are found on every continent except Antarctica!