Birds of prey, also known as raptors, include species of bird that primarily hunt and feed on vertebrates like mammals or other birds. Examples of birds of prey include eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and more. Birds of prey are found on every continent except Antarctica and are important components of ecosystems around the world.
When it comes to birds of prey in the Eastern hemisphere, there are a number of iconic and remarkable species. The Eastern hemisphere includes Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia/Oceania. This article will provide an overview of some of the most notable birds of prey found in the Eastern hemisphere, including information on their characteristics, hunting behaviors, habitat and range. Understanding more about these fascinating raptors provides insight into the diversity of the natural world.
Eagles
Some of the most powerful and regal birds of prey in the Eastern hemisphere come from the eagle family. Here are some of the most notable:
Golden Eagle
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the most widely distributed birds of prey in the world. In the Eastern hemisphere, golden eagles are found from Europe across Asia and into Northern Africa. They are also found in the Middle East and Central Asia. Golden eagles are large raptors with brownish plumage that is brightly gold-colored on their head and neck. They have sharp, hooked beaks and muscular legs with powerful talons used for hunting.
Golden eagles primarily prey on small mammals like hares, marmots and ground squirrels. They also hunt larger animals like foxes, young deer and ibex. Golden eagles mainly utilize speed and impact to take down prey, either in swift flight or by pouncing down on quarry from an elevated perch. They build large nests on cliff edges and lay 1-4 eggs per breeding season. Golden eagles are bold, skilled hunters that thrive in open habitats like grasslands, shrublands, and mountains.
Martial Eagle
The martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It is a very large eagle species distinguished by its bright white undersides and blackish upperparts. Martial eagles have bare yellow or gray facial skin and a bright yellow cere and feet. These eagles are powerful hunters with long, broad wings and a relatively short tail.
Martial eagles feed mainly on small- to medium-sized mammals like hyraxes, rabbits and young antelopes. They also take birds, reptiles and carrion. Using their massive talons, martial eagles have been observed hunting prey up to the size of flamingos and young ostriches! They hunt from high soaring flight and by still-hunting for prey while perched on trees or rocks. Martial eagles build huge stick nests and lay 1-2 eggs per year. They occur in various open and semi-open habitats throughout Africa.
Steller’s Sea Eagle
Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is a large bird of prey that lives along the coastal areas of northeastern Asia. They are found along the coasts and rivers of eastern Russia, China, Korea and Japan. Steller’s sea eagles have dark brown body plumage contrasting with paler wings and tail. Adults have striking bright yellow eyes, large yellow beaks, and yellowish feet.
As their name suggests, these eagles subsist mainly on fish and aquatic prey. They can spot fish in the water from high soaring flight. Steller’s sea eagles also hunt seabirds, seals, crabs and the carcasses of whales and fish. They build huge nests in trees near water and are adept at carrying heavy loads of fish back to feed their young. Steller’s sea eagles are powerful coastal hunters capable of taking on even large seal or fish prey.
Kites
Kites are medium-sized raptors with long, pointed wings and deeply forked tails. Here are some of the most impressive kite species from the Eastern hemisphere:
Black Kite
The black kite (Milvus migrans) is a widespread species found throughout Europe, Asia, and Australasia. It is a medium-sized raptor with reddish-brown body plumage contrasting with lighter colored wing feathers. Black kites often have lighter color morphs including all-white individuals. These kites thrive in various habitats from wetlands to grasslands, parks, and cities.
Black kites are opportunistic hunters and scavengers that eat a wide variety of prey. They feed on small vertebrates like rodents, birds, lizards, and frogs. Black kites are also known to hunt hatchling turtles, raid bird nests, and consume eggs and carrion. They are social raptors that will congregate in large numbers when food sources are abundant. Black kites build nests out of sticks in trees and other elevated structures.
Brahminy Kite
The brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) is a chestnut colored raptor with a white head found throughout Australasia and southern Asia. Brahminy kites are striking birds in flight, with their contrasting plumage and bold reddish wings and back. These kites live along coastlines and adjacent wetlands and waterways.
Brahminy kites feed mainly on fish, crabs, and mollusks which they prey on by diving from flight and sometimes by wading in shallow water. They also take some small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Brahminy kites are effective hunters that can snatch prey by flying close to the water’s surface. They build nests high up in lone trees or mangroves near water. Brahminy kites breed cooperatively, with young from previous nestings assisting the parents in raising new chicks.
Vultures
Vultures are large, predominantly soaring raptors that specialize in scavenging carrion. Here are some of the key vulture species from the Eastern Hemisphere:
Griffon Vulture
The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) population stretches across southern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Africa and India. It is a large vulture with buffy-brown plumage and pale wing feathers. Griffon vultures have featherless gray heads and necks which help keep them clean when scavenging carcasses. They locate food while soaring high in the air using their excellent eyesight.
Griffon vultures feed exclusively on the soft tissues of dead animals, helping to prevent the spread of diseases. They use their long, narrow beaks to rip flesh and often feed communally at carcasses alongside other vultures. Griffon vultures nest on remote cliffs and crags where available. Conservation efforts have helped stabilize declining griffon vulture populations in parts of their range.
White-Backed Vulture
The white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) is an Old World vulture native to sub-Saharan Africa. As their name suggests, adult white-backed vultures have predominantly white plumage on their neck, back, and underside. They have bare grayish heads and read facial skin around their eyes. White-backed vultures are highly social and congregate at carcasses along with other African vultures and raptors.
These vultures use their powerful beaks to tear through tough hides and dig into carrion. White-backed vultures locate food while soaring high above open grasslands and savannas where they live. They roost and nest communally on trees, cliffs, or human structures across Africa. Conservation efforts aim to protect remaining white-backed vulture populations due to widespread declines.
Falcons
Falcons comprise a group of small to medium-sized raptors that are master aerial hunters. Here are some of the notable falcons from the Eastern Hemisphere:
Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) has an enormous global range spanning locations across Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia. It is renowned as the world’s fastest bird, capable of diving at speeds over 200 mph to strike avian prey. Peregrines have slate-gray upperparts and barred white undersides. Their long wings are perfect for speedy flight in pursuit of quarry like pigeons and songbirds.
Peregrines nest on tall cliffs and increasingly on human structures in many urban areas. They were endangered in the mid-1900s due to pesticide use but populations rebounded following bans. Peregrines are powerful hunters that capture prey mid-flight using their remarkable speed and aerial agility.
Saker Falcon
The saker falcon (Falco cherrug) is found from Central Europe and the Middle East across much of Asia. It is a large, powerful falcon with broad wings used for speedy flight. Saker falcons have variable color morphs but most commonly have dark streaked undersides and pale brown upperparts. There is also a rare dark morph with nearly all-black plumage.
Sakers inhabit open grasslands, plains, deserts, and foothills where they hunt rodents and other small mammals. They also prey on larger birds like pheasants. Saker falcons excel at high speed horizontal pursuit of prey. They were historically prized by nobility for falconry hunting. Ongoing conservation efforts aim to protect remaining saker falcon populations from threats like electrocution, nest destruction, and illegal trapping for the pet trade.
Owls
Owls are highly efficient nocturnal raptors found worldwide. Here are some key owl species from the Eastern Hemisphere:
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is found across Europe and Asia. It is one of the world’s largest owl species and a powerful predator. Eurasian eagle-owls have plumage in various shades of brown with intricate dark markings. They have piercing orange eyes and feathered ear-tufts. With their huge talons and heavy bodies, eagle-owls take large prey including hares, rabbits, foxes, and young deer.
Eurasian eagle-owls nest on sheltered rocky outcrops and hunt from perches in open habitats. They are formidable nocturnal predators that strike prey with speed and strength. Their loud, deep hoots carry for long distances. Conservation measures have assisted recovering eagle-owl populations in parts of Europe.
Eastern Grass Owl
The eastern grass owl (Tyto longimembris) lives in grassland and savanna habitats from India across Southeast Asia and southern China. It is a medium-sized owl with long legs and pale buffy or reddish-brown plumage decorated with dark streaks and bars. The facial disc helps funnel sound to the owl’s ears to aid in locating small animal prey in dense grass.
Eastern grass owls mainly hunt rodents, shrews and birds like sparrows, rails and quail. They nest on the ground hidden in tall grass. Due to ongoing habitat loss across Asia, grass owl populations in some areas are declining. Efforts to protect grassland habitat help maintain habitat for this unique raptor species dependent on thick grasses.
Secretarybird
While not closely related to eagles, the striking secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a large raptor that hunts on foot to capture prey. Secretarybirds range across sub-Saharan Africa in grasslands and savannas. They are notable for their lanky size, long legs, and crest of elongated feathers protruding behind their heads.
Secretarybirds feed mainly on insects, lizards, snakes, small mammals, and birds found through walking and stirring up vegetation. They are adept at capturing slithering snake prey while carefully avoiding snake bites to their legs using their quick reflexes. Secretarybirds take flight only for short bursts when necessary. They build large nests on the ground hidden in grass where they raise their young. Conservation efforts help protect secretarybird populations and habitat across Africa.
Notable Extinct Eastern Hemisphere Raptors
While the raptors profiled above provide a snapshot of the diversity of birds of prey in the Eastern hemisphere, there were once many other fascinating raptors that inhabited these regions but tragically went extinct over the past several centuries. Two of the most storied extinct raptors were:
Haast’s Eagle
Haast’s eagle (Harpagornis moorei) was the largest known true eagle that ever lived. It thrived for around 500 years on New Zealand’s South Island preying on large flightless birds and even small deer. Early Maori hunting and habitat destruction led to Haast’s eagle dying out around 1400 CE. It had a wingspan up to 10 feet, massive talons, and a deadly strike. Haast’s eagle represents an amazing extinct raptor.
Malagasy Crowned Eagle
The Malagasy crowned eagle (Stephanoaetus mahery) was a massive forest-dwelling eagle that lived on the island of Madagascar until extinction in the 1500s following human colonization. It was an apex predator that likely preyed on lemurs and other mammals. The Malagasy crowned eagle was estimated to weigh over 20 pounds with a wingspan up to 7 feet, enormous for a forest-inhabiting raptor. It was driven to extinction through habitat loss and nest destruction.
Key Attributes of Eastern Hemisphere Birds of Prey
Reviewing this selection of just some of the birds of prey from the Eastern hemisphere, we can draw out some of their key shared attributes and adaptations:
– Sharp talons and beaks – All raptors have strong, sharp talons and hooked beaks evolved for seizing, killing and tearing apart prey
– Excellent vision – To spot and hunt prey from afar, birds of prey uniformly have exceptional long-distance vision
– Powerful flight – Many raptors like eagles and falcons have athleticism and aerial agility allowing them to swoop in quickly on detected prey
– Solitary vs social – Some species like golden eagles are solitary, while others like vultures may congregate in large flocks at carrion sources
– Use of speed – Falcons in particular have incredibly fast dives and strikes to hit prey, often other birds, mid-flight
– Opportunists – Raptors like black kites demonstrate adaptability in hunting many types of small prey in varied environments
– Stealthy hunters – Owls with specially evolved silent flight are adept nighttime hunters that ambush mammals, birds and insects
Threats Facing Eastern Hemisphere Birds of Prey
Despite the impressive hunting skills and adaptations of these Eastern hemisphere raptors, many species now face substantial threats affecting their conservation status:
– Habitat loss due to development, agriculture, logging and wetland drainage
– Poisoning from pesticides or livestock carcass contamination
– Collision mortality from wind turbines and powerlines
– Illegal trapping and trade
– Disturbance of nesting sites
– Declines in prey populations
Targeted conservation policies and habitat protection for threatened raptors like the saker falcon and white-backed vulture are needed to ensure robust future populations across their native ranges. Eliminating dangerous pesticides, reducing nest disturbances, and maintaining intact ecosystems will give these birds of prey from the Eastern hemisphere the best chances at survival.
Conclusion
The Eastern hemisphere is home to an incredible diversity of spectacular and powerful raptor species including eagles, kites, vultures, falcons and owls. These birds of prey utilize various skilled hunting techniques and adaptations that make them effective predators in habitats from dense forests to open savannas. However, a number of Eastern hemisphere raptors now face population declines from growing human impacts and require conservation efforts to preserve them far into the future. Understanding and protecting these apex bird predators helps maintain ecosystem health and balance across their range. If you ever have a chance to observe one of these remarkable eagles, kites, vultures, falcons or owls in person, consider yourself privileged to witness a magnificent bird of prey masterfully adapted by evolution for the hunt.