AY Honors/Raptors/Answer Key

Template:AY patch unavailable Template:Honor desc

1. What does the word “raptor” mean?

The word Raptor comes from the Latin word rapere, meaning to seize, or snatch away. The term is used in reference with the way many raptors kill their prey with their feet.

Raptors include hawks, eagles, kites, vultures, condors, harriers, kestrels, falcons, owls and the secretarybird. Raptors are often referred to as birds of prey, as they are frequently active hunters (aside from the vultures and condors, which are primarily carrion eaters). A common characteristic among raptors are their sharp, curved talons for catching and holding prey, their curved upper bill for tearing flesh, and often their keen eyesight, hearing and/or sense of smell, used for finding their food.

2. Classification:

a. Identify the 2 major groups of raptors.

Raptors are divided into two broad groups, the diurnal raptors (those active in the day), such as hawks, eagles, kites, falcons and osprey, and the nocturnal raptors (those active at night), which comprise the typical owls and the barn owls.

b. List the scientific names of the orders & families collectively referred to as "raptors" or "birds of prey."

Raptors are currently divided into three Orders under the Class Aves:

Order Accipitriformes (accipiter, from the Latin word meaning hawk)

• Family Accipitridae: including the hawks, eagles, and kites, some 217 species worldwide
• Family Cathartidae (cathartes, from the Greek word meaning purifier): the seven species of vultures and condors
• Family Pandionidae (Pandion, from the Greek legend, the father of Procne, changed into a swallow): the two species of Osprey
• Family Sagittariidae (Sagittarius, Latin for archer): One species of Secretarybird

Order Falconiformes (likely from falx, from the Latin meaning sickle, referring to the curved beak)

• Family Falconidae: Some 60 species of falcons and their allies, including the Caracaras

Order Strigiformes (strix, from the Greek meaning to screech)

• Family Strigidae: Some 124 species of owls worldwide
• Family Tytonidae (Tyto, from the Greek for owl): The ten species of Barn Owls