Well Evan, one thing you can say about raptors is that they carry their
prey in their talons rather than their beak - a kingfisher carries its
catch in its beak, while an osprey carries its catch in its talons.
Regards, Laurie.
On Saturday, June 17, 2006, at 12:48 PM, Evan Beaver wrote:
What is it that defines a raptor? My curiosity was piqued a few months
ago
when discussing Tawny's and someone casually mentioned that 'as we all
know,
Tawny Frogmouths aren't raptors'. I didn't know, and so it got me
wondering
what defines a raptor? Is it a hooked beak and talons distinction? I
don't
think it's diet, as surely a Currawong or Kingfisher would meet those
requirements.
And so that brings me to my favourite bird, the Grey Butcherbird. Do
they
predate (verb of predator?) other birds? After I watched one dispatch
a few
mice recently I have no doubt that they're capable, but are they
interested?
I reckon a pardalote would be about the same size as a mouse, but
probably
not as tasty. They seem to have a taste for bacon too, but who can
blame
them?
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