The New Childrens Encyclopedia

107

O

Length 13–20 in (34–50 cm)
O

Weight 1–3¼ lb
(0.5–1.5 kg)
O

Diet Small birds
O

Location Worldwide
(except Antarctica)

The fastest bird of prey

hunts at high speed,

reaching a dizzying

220 mph (360 km/h)

in a “stoop” (dive).

Peregrine falcon

Falco peregrinus

MASTER FISHER

The osprey is a skilled

hunter, perfectly adapted

for catching fish.

Birds of prey

These spectacular birds are some of

the most efficient predators of the

animal world. Most have large eyes,

excellent hearing, and a keen sense

of smell, which they use to good

effect when hunting. The smallest

species hunt insects, but

large raptors, such as

eagles, can kill a young deer.

1. EYE IN THE SKY The osprey
   patrols a stretch of water in search
   of fish, hovering and gliding 230 ft
   (70 m) or more above the surface.


2. GOTCHA! The osprey spots a fish
   near the surface and plunges down
   into the water, grabbing both sides
   of its prey with long, curved talons.


3. DINNER TIME The osprey
   returns to the nest to feed its young.
   The male is the main provider of
   food for the female and her chicks.

O

Length 37–43 in (94–109 cm)

O

Weight 13¼–22 lb (6–10 kg)

O

Diet Carrion

O

Location North Africa,

southern Europe, and Asia

The Griffon vulture

does not kill. It is a

scavenger, feeding

on carrion (dead

animals)—often

the leftovers of

predatory animals.

Griffon vulture

Gyps fulvus

O

Length 28–38 in

(71–96 cm)

O

Weight 6½–14 lb (3–6.5 kg)

O

Diet Fish, small mammals,

birds, and carrion

O

Location North America

Bald eagles are expert

fishers, swooping down to

grab fish from the water.

They may also steal the

catch of another eagle.

Bald eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

O

Height 20–23½ in (50–60 cm)

O

Weight 3¾ lb (1.5 kg)

O

Diet Fish

O

Location Worldwide (except Antarctica)

This spectacular bird of prey

lives near freshwater rivers

and lakes and coastal

waters, where it has a

plentiful supply of its

favorite food: fish.

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

15 20

25

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LIVING WORLD