Today there are about ten thousand different species of birds in the world. They live on all continents of the Earth, including Antarctica. In this article, we will consider the general taxonomy of this class of animals, and also briefly introduce you to the most famous families and genera of birds of prey.
Birds and their systematics
Bird class (in Latin Aves) - warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates that arose in the Jurassic period (about 150 million years ago). It is possible that theropod dinosaurs were their direct ancestors. 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 kiwis). Modern science has between 9,800 and 10,050 species of birds, depending on one or another 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 system of taxonomic categories in science was formalized at the beginningXX century. This is how, in particular, the taxonomy of the class "birds" looks like:
- squad;
- family;
- genus;
- look;
- subtype.
Thus, any feathered creature must consistently belong to all of the above categories. Next, we will talk in more detail about birds of prey. What genera and families do they belong to?
Birds of Prey: genera and families
There are no small species among raptors. Basically, these are birds of medium, large or very large sizes. Moreover, females are noticeably larger than males. They can be recognized by their powerful paws, hook-shaped beak and sharp, inwardly curved claws. As a rule, these are monogamous birds that live in a wide variety of climatic and natural zones of the Earth - from the tropics to the polar regions.
Today, more than a dozen genera of birds of prey are distinguished. All of them belong to three families: skopin, hawk and falcon. Let's list them:
- eagles;
- eagles;
- hawks;
- falcons;
- kites;
- looney;
- honeybees;
- buzzards;
- hawk buzzards;
- serpent-eaters;
- sips;
- vultures;
- bearded men;
- vultures.
It is curious 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. There are about sixty different types. These birds can be found in a variety of natural areas - from the forest-tundra to the desert. Eagleshave an amazing ability to soar in the air for several hours without a single flap of their wings, which allows them to concentrate entirely on tracking down their prey. By the way, an animal that is several times larger than the bird itself can become a victim of an eagle. 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 in their large massive beak and bare tarsus. There are four species of eagles in Russia: white-tailed eagle, long-tailed eagle, bald eagle and Steller's eagle.
Hawks
The hawk (lat. Accipitrinae) is 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 vulture, which prefers to eat fruit.
Falcons
Falcons (lat. Falcao) - a genus of birds distinguished by a specific crescent-shaped wings in flight. They are distributed all over the world, not counting Antarctica, they live in both forest and flat areas. These birds left a great legacy in the cultures of manycountries and peoples. In general, the genus of falcons combines several dozen different bird species, including kestrels, falcons, saker falcons, gyrfalcons and peregrine falcons.
Looney
Luni (lat. Circus) is another genus of birds of prey from the hawk family, with sixteen species. Distributed everywhere, except for Antarctica and the northern polar regions. They prefer to feed on rodents and frogs, so they often fly over agricultural land, swamps and floodplains. The long and thin wings of these birds allow them to soar easily and smoothly low above the ground, looking out for prey (see photo below). Another distinguishing feature of all harriers is the presence of a facial disc, very similar to an owl's.
Kites
Kites (lat. Milvinae) - birds with narrow wings and a long forked tail. They live in Eurasia, Africa and Australia. As a place for their habitat, these birds often choose dense forests near fresh water bodies. They usually nest in groups, placing their nests on tree branches and rocky cliffs. Kites are omnivorous. They can feed on frogs, fish, insects, worms, crustaceans, while not disdaining carrion and other waste.
