What are raptors? The Merriam-Webster Online Learning Dictionary defines a raptor as a bird that kills and eats other animals for food. Most often they are predatory birds. Raptors have physical and behavioral characteristics that distinguish them from other birds. There are many types of raptors, some we can even see in the areas where we live. Raptors are predatory birds that use their legs to capture their prey. Non-raptors use their beaks to capture prey. Their scientific classification is in the class Aves (birds), subclass Neornithes (modern birds), and order Falconiformes (birds of prey) (seaworld.org). Raptors have very long distance vision and most have a keen sense of smell to detect the animals they eat. Raptor claws are strong and have curved, pointed talons that allow the birds to catch and hold their prey during flight. Once they bring their prey to a safe place to feed, their sharp-edged, arched beaks tear into the meat. All raptors have common eating habits. The main food source for raptors is meat. This includes fish, reptiles, small birds, insects and mammals. Raptors are omnivores that feed on both animals and plants. Plant fruits, such as wild berries, are the main type of plants they consume. Vultures are the only birds of prey that feed. All other raptors search for live prey. Predatory birds usually hunt independently, but sometimes hunt in groups to more easily capture their prey (seaworld.org). The body shape and wingspan of raptors help them in their fight to survive. The body shape of raptors helps them reduce air drag during flight. Their wingspans differ greatly: from broad wings that allow easy flight across open fields to short wings for rapid flight...... middle of paper ..."Diurnal Birds of Prey: Falconiformes - Diet. "animals.jrank.org (2011): n. page. Internet. March 2, 2011. .Halsey, William. "Eagle." Collier's Encyclopedia. 8. Great Britain: Crowell-Collier, 1967. Print. Middleton, Kim and Nancy Freutel. “Explore birds of prey.” Peregrine Fund (2001): n.pag. Internet. February 26, 2011. .Postlethwait, John. Modern biology. Austin: Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, 2009. 841-855. Print."Red-tailed Hawks." National Geographic n. page. Internet. February 26, 2011."Turkey Vulture." holoweb.com. Np, and Web. February 26 2011..