Raptors are birds of prey. Not everyone agrees on which birds are raptors. Most people agree that raptors have very good vision. They have strong, sharp talons or claws. Raptors also have sharp, hooked beaks. They are hunters and eat meat. Eagles, hawks, kites, harriers, falcons, and the osprey are raptors.

Storks and gulls are not raptors. Those birds use only their beaks to hunt. Some people say that owls are not raptors. Owls have good vision, strong talons, and curved beaks. But they are not as closely related to hawks as people once thought. Still, a lot of people call them raptors.

Vultures used to be called raptors, even though they do not have strong talons. It was thought that they were related to hawks and eagles. Later, it was discovered that New World vultures may not be related to hawks. Now, many people do not consider them raptors.

The word raptor comes from a Latin word that means grab and carry away. Some dinosaurs have been called raptors. They had strong, sharp claws. They hunted their prey. They even had feathers!

Modern raptors have been in danger. People use poisons on plants to kill weeds and pests. Small animals eat these plants. Raptors then eat these animals. The poisons get passed on to the raptors. They can get sick and die.