Raptors world records
Ah, the birds of prey – the ultimate hunters of the sky! These majestic creatures come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny American kestrel to the mighty golden eagle. But one thing they all have in common is their impressive hunting skills.
Take the peregrine falcon, for example. With a top speed of over 386 km/h (240 mph), it’s the fastest bird on the planet! Or how about the osprey, also known as the “fish eagle”? This feathered fisherman has specially adapted talons that can grip fish like a pair of pliers and can even turn its toes backward to make sure its catch doesn’t slip away.
Then there’s the bald eagle, the national bird of the United States. This regal raptor is known for its piercing stare and impressive wingspan, which can reach up to 2 m (7 ft) across. And let’s not forget about the owl – the nocturnal ninja of the bird world. With their silent flight and acute hearing, these stealthy hunters can snatch prey from the darkness without making a sound.
So whether you’re watching a bald eagle soaring over the mountains or a kestrel hovering over a meadow, the birds of prey are sure to capture your imagination with their incredible skills and majestic beauty.
Andean condor
The largest and heaviest raptor in the world
The heavyweight champion of the raptor world, with a wingspan that can reach up to 3 m (10 ft)! This bird is a master of the skies.
Rüppell’s vulture
Once found flying 11,300 meters (37,100 ft) high, sadly, this was more of an accident than a discovery
The bird that never settles for a low altitude. Flying over 11,000 m (36,000 ft) high, this sky-high daredevil is not afraid to take birdwatching to new heights.
Cinereous vulture
Largest soaring vulture in the sky with extremely broad wings that assists an important role in nature as “clean-up” team
With a wingspan that can reach up to 3 m (10 ft) and a weight of over 14 kg (30 pounds), it holds the title for the largest of its kind. This bird is so big, and it’s like having a flying refrigerator soaring overhead!
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Ferruginous Hawk
The world’s largest soaring hawk, perfectly suited to the open skies and remarkably unafraid of humans often in close proximity
When it comes to hawks, the Ferruginous Hawk reigns supreme as the biggest and baddest of them all! With a wingspan of over 1.2 m (4 ft) and a weight of up to 2.3 kg (5 pounds), this hawk is like the Arnold Schwarzenegger of the bird world. Watch out, small mammals – this feathered predator means business!
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Harpy eagle
The world’s most spectacular and most robust eagle species serves a critical ecological role in the ecosystem they live in
The harpy eagle is here to take the crown as the strongest and most powerful raptor in town! With talons the size of grizzly bear claws and a wingspan that can reach up to 2 m (7 ft), this feathered giant is like a flying tank. No wonder it holds the record for the strongest bird of prey in the Guinness World Records.
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Bald eagle
The magnificent national bird of the United States, distinguished by a snowy white head, neck, and tail
It may be known for its majestic looks and patriotic symbolism, but did you know that it also holds a record for its impressive nesting skills? These feathered architects build the largest nests of any bird species in North America, with some measuring up to 4 m (13 ft) deep and 2.4 m (8 ft) wide – it’s like having a flying treehouse!
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Golden eagle
This majestic brown raptor is most widely distributed eagle species
This feathered adventurer holds the title for the most widely distributed species of eagle, with a range that spans across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It’s like the golden eagle has a frequent flyer card and is always on the go – talk about a jet-setter!
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Philippine eagle
Considered to be the largest eagle in the world in terms of length and wing surface. Also the rarest 🙁
When it comes to rare birds, the Philippine eagle takes the cake! With only around 400 pairs left in the wild, this majestic eagle is like the VIP of the bird world – elusive, exclusive, and oh-so-precious. Move over, other eagles – the Philippine eagle is the ultimate feathered treasure!
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Red goshawk
The rarest and powerful bird of prey with massive yellow feet and talons designed to quickly subdue its avian prey
It is like the unicorn of the Australian bird world – rare, mysterious, and oh-so-magical! With only around 200 breeding pairs left in the wild, this feathered rarity holds the title of the rarest bird of prey in all of Australia.
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Gyrfalcon
Largest of falcons: can grow up to 60cm (2 ft) in height
Not your average bird of prey – it’s a towering titan that towers over its fellow falcons! With a wingspan that can stretch up to 1.2 m (4 ft) and a weight that can exceed 1.4 kg (3 pounds), this majestic bird is like a feathered bodybuilder.
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