Evan,
Raptors (I believe same word origin as the word for rapture - meaning to carry
away) are two groups: the Falconiformes (hawks, eagles, falcons, etc) &
Strigiformes (owls). Both are predatory and hunt using their feet as their main
catching & killing method. This is a convenience term for those two orders.
Other orders of birds are also comprised mainly or wholly of predatory forms
but are not called raptors. Frogmouths and nightjars are nocturnal and have
some similarities to owls but they are not owls. Butcherbirds are passerines.
They also happen to be predatory but they too are not raptors.
Philip
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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