This Old World vulture is native to southern Africa вЂ¦ TheyвЂ™re among the largest raptors on that continent, weighing about 24 pounds, with wingspans around 8.5 feet. TheyвЂ™re documents as building the largest tree nests of any animal species вЂ¦ which can be 13 feet deep and more than 8 feet wide! They can weigh nearly 14 pounds and have a wingspan of 7.5 feet. The bird of prey is actually known as a sea eagle вЂ¦ and is recognized as a national symbol of the United States. While they can reach some 30 inches long, their large head, exceptionally long tail, and fluffy feathers conceal a body that is actually much lighter than that of other large owls вЂ¦ these critters only weigh a little over 4 pounds! ThatвЂ™s a squat critter which resembles a guinea pig.ДЄs measured by length, this is the worldвЂ™s largest owl species вЂ¦ and is found across the Northern Hemisphere. ItвЂ™s recognized as a uniquely specialized bird, with its distribution and history focused on its favorite species of prey - the rock hyrax. From bill to the tip of tail, they can measure some 38 inches, and weigh more than 15 pounds. This bird is also known as the Black Eagle and is a large raptor found in the mountainous regions of Africa. This eagle has quite a wide range, and serves as the national bird for 3 countries - Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Zambia. As you might guess, it feeds mainly on fish вЂ¦ and has specialized toes that can easily grip slippery prey. They have wingspans greater than 7.5 feet. You might notice that this bird bears a resemblance to the bald eagle of North America in fact, the two birds are related вЂ¦ although this critter weighs about 8 pounds and is found in sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more about birds of prey and how IFAW is working to protect them and their habitats.From big vicious vultures, to majestic eagles and condors Here are 20 Largest Birds of Prey ! The smallestВ is theВ oriental scops owl, the smallest bird of prey in Beijing, which weighs less than 100 grams (Вј pound).В BRRC has also rescued eagle owls, one of the largest owls in the worldВ with a wingspan of up to 2 meters (6.5 feet). The largest bird of prey rescued by BRRC is theВ cinereous vulture, with a wingspan of 3.1 meters (10 feet).

Over the past 20 years the team has rescued more than 1,500 common kestrels. The common kestrel, a bird of prey that adapts very well to urbanization, is the bird most frequently rescued by BRRC.

For the past 20 years, our rehabilitators and their raptor ambulance have been on callВ sevenВ days a week, 365 days a year, rescuing more than 5,500 birds of prey. Birds of prey are protected by law in China, but they are often victims of environmental degradation and illegal wildlife trade.В In 2001, IFAW partnered with Beijing Normal UniversityВ to open the Beijing Raptor Rescue CenterВ (BRRC), where we rescue, rehabilitate and return birds of prey back to the sky. Some birds of prey are caught and kept in captivity as exotic pets and for falconry, both legally and illegally.Д«eijing, one of the worldвЂ™s largest cities, is in the path of a major migratory route for raptors. Birds of prey areВ often seen as a threat or nuisance toВ communities and are shot or poisoned. IFAW works tirelessly toВ protectВ many kindsВ of animals, includingВ birds of prey.В Birds of preyВ and their natural habitatsВ face many human-caused threats, including environmental pollution, urbanizationВ and the use ofВ pesticides and rodenticides. What is IFAW doing to help birds of prey? They removeВ old,В sickВ and weak animals from prey populationsВ and help keep theseВ populations under control. Birds of prey, also known as raptors, are a group of birds that includes hawks, owls, eagles, vultures,В falconsВ and more.В Birds of prey hunt and feed on animalsВ like rabbits, rodents, fish,В lizardsВ and other birds.Дў.В RaptorsВ are characterizedВ by sharpВ visionВ that allows them to detect and catch prey with their strongВ talonsВ and hooked beaks, often during flight.ДЈ.В More than 560 species of raptorsВ live aroundВ the worldВ and raptors can be foundВ onВ every continentВ (except Antarctica).Д¤.В Raptors fly in ways that help them hunt, suchВ as gliding and soaringВ to spot prey and powerful divesВ and agile pursuitВ to capture prey.ДҐ.В Most birds ofВ preyВ areВ quite solitaryВ as they avoid competition forВ food.В ManyВ of those that gather in flocksВ do soВ only as part of peak migration periods or at winter feeding grounds.Д¦.В As apex predators, birds of prey play an important ecological role in maintaining the environmental health of their natural habitat.

Largest bird of prey