Birds of Prey (1 hour)

In this investigation, students will learn what raptors are, how they feed, fly and hunt, and the adaptations that make them successful.  Raptors are defined as birds having: large, strongly curved beaks (for tearing prey); strong, sharply  curved talons (for capturing/killing prey); large eyes (with binocular vision and zoom capable) for enhanced vision for finding, chasing and capturing prey. Raptors are divided into two (unrelated) groups, the daytime (diurnal) hunters and the night time (nocturnal) hunters. Students will learn the differences between the daytime hunters (the hawks, falcons, osprey and eagles) and the night time hunters (owls).  With mounted  specimens and other study material, students will observe firsthand the differences that separate the raptors, and those adaptations that make them successful nocturnal hunters. Students will understand what a raptor is, based on certain physiological characteristics and traits shared by all raptors.  Students will also learn which raptors are found in, which ones breed in, and which ones are occasional visitors to, Connecticut.