Today in the world there are about ten thousand different species of birds. They live on all continents of the Earth, including Antarctica. In this article, we will examine the general systematics of this class of animals, and also briefly introduce you to the most famous families and genera of predatory birds.
Birds and their taxonomy
The bird class (Aves in Latin) is warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates that originated in the Jurassic period (about 150 million years ago). It is possible that their direct ancestors were theropod dinosaurs. They were transferred to the rank of an independent class due to the presence of wings and the ability to fly. Although there are flightless birds (the most striking examples are penguins, ostriches and kiwi). Modern science numbers from 9,800 to 10,050 species of birds, depending on a particular taxonomic classification.
Biological systematics (or taxonomy) is a branch of biology that develops principles for the classification of living organisms and studies intergroup and interspecies relationships in animals. The modern and generally accepted in science system of taxonomic categories was formalized at the beginning of the twentieth century. Here, in particular, is the taxonomy of the "bird" class:
- detachment;
- family;
- gender;
- view;
- subspecies.
Thus, any feathered creature should consistently belong to all of the above categories. Next, we will talk in more detail about birds of prey. What clans and families do they belong to?
Birds of prey: genera and families
Among the feathered predators, small species are not found. These are mainly birds of medium, large or very large sizes. Moreover, females are noticeably larger than males. They can be recognized by powerful paws, a hook-shaped beak and sharp, bent inward claws. As a rule, these are monogamous birds that live in the most diverse climatic and natural zones of the Earth - from the tropics to the polar regions.
Today, more than a dozen genera of birds of prey stand out. All of them belong to three families: skopin, hawk and falcon. We list them:
- eagles;
- eagles;
- hawks;
- falcons;
- kites;
- looney
- beetles;
- buzzards;
- hawk buzzers;
- snake-eaters;
- vultures;
- vultures;
- bearded men;
- vultures.
It is interesting to note that owls belong to a separate order of birds, although they are predators by nature.
Eagles
Eagles (lat. Aquila) - a genus of birds from the hawk family. It has about sixty different species. These birds can be found in a variety of natural areas - from the forest-tundra to the desert. Eagles have an amazing ability to soar in the air for several hours without a single flap of the wings, which allows them to concentrate fully on tracking their prey. By the way, an animal can become a victim of an eagle, which is several times larger than the size of the bird itself. The largest representative of the genus - the Philippine eagle - has a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters.
Eagles
Eagles (lat. Haliaeetus) - a genus of birds that are large in size. Distributed on all continents except South America. They prefer to settle along the shores of the seas and fresh water bodies. These birds differ from eagles with a large massive beak and a bare tarsus. On the territory of Russia there are four species of eagles: white-tailed eagle, long-tailed eagle, bald-headed and Steller's sea eagles.
Hawks
Hawk (lat.Accipitrinae) - one of the fastest birds on Earth. She attacks her victim with lightning speed, leaving that little chance of salvation. Plus, these birds have incredibly sharp eyesight. The habitat of hawks covers the land of all continents except Antarctica. Almost all representatives of this genus are carnivorous, except for the palm finger, which prefers to eat fruit.
Falcons
Falcons (lat. Falcao) - a genus of birds characterized by a specific crescent shape of wings in flight. They are distributed throughout the world, not counting Antarctica, live in both forest and flat areas. These birds left a great legacy in the cultures of many countries and peoples. By and large, the genus of falcons combines several dozen different species of birds, among which are kestrels, males, saker falcons, gyrfalcons and peregrine falcons.
Looney
Looney (lat. Circus) is another genus of birds of prey from the hawk family, numbering sixteen species. Distributed everywhere, except for Antarctica and the northern polar regions. They prefer to eat rodents and frogs, so they often fly over farmland, swamps and floodplains. The long and thin wings of these birds allow them to soar easily and smoothly low above the ground, looking for prey (see photo below). Another distinguishing feature of all moons is the presence of a facial disc, very similar to an owl.
Kites
Kites (lat. Milvinae) - birds with narrow wings and a long fork-shaped tail. They live in Eurasia, Africa and Australia. As a place for their habitat, these birds often choose deaf forests near fresh water bodies. They usually nest in groups, locating their nests on tree branches and rocky cliffs. Kites are omnivorous. They can feed on frogs, fish, insects, worms, crustaceans, without disdaining carrion and other waste.