Bird of Prey Silhouettes 17/18/25 cm, Pack of 3 - to Stick on Glass So Birds Don't Fly Against Your Windows

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Whilst mainly brown, they have light patches on the underside of their wings, which can help to distinguish them from ravens or large crows at a glance. Their primary wing feathers also give the appearance of long fingers. A good way to spot buzzards is to listen for their distinctive and iconic 'mew' call. By understanding the diet and hunting techniques of British birds of prey, we can gain a greater appreciation for their unique behaviours and adaptations in the wild. Breeding Habits Most raptors rely on a combination of soaring flight patterns to spot potential meals below them, followed by a rapid dive or stoop towards the ground to catch it with their talons before flying away again with its meal firmly grasped in its claws. This type of hunting technique is called ‘hawking’ and can be seen in many different bird species, including kestrels, harriers and buzzards. Understanding the habitats and distributions of birds of prey in the UK is key to successful research and observation, so it’s important to know where they can be found. Next, we’ll explore what makes these birds unique and their behaviours. Diet and Hunting Techniques Red kite flying over farmland fields in summer, Oxfordshire, UK.

In much of the 20th century, Red kites were heavily persecuted for their eggs and became confined to small parts of Wales. They were reintroduced to the Chilterns, East Midlands, Yorkshire and other parts of northern England throughout the 1990s and are now thriving across virtually all of the UK. For example, in 1990, 13 Red kites were released in the Chilterns, and as of 2020, there are probably some 4,000 breeding pairs. These graceful, imposing raptors are now a common sight over both urban and rural areas. Appearance Illegal hunting practices also remain a problem, with some individuals targeting rarer species like peregrine falcons or goshawks for sport or food purposes, even though it is illegal under UK law. There have also been reports of poisoning incidents where certain pesticides have been used illegally on land inhabited by raptors leading to mass mortality events amongst bird populations in recent years too. Britain’s commonest bird of prey, the buzzard is the species most often seen soaring. It wheels about in the air on broad wings, with its tail fanned out and wingtip feathers widely splayed. Eats birds, mammals and carrion. Buzzards are the commonest and most widespread birds of prey in the UK/Credit: Mike Lane, Getty Honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus From the iconic golden eagle to the tiny merlin, these birds have been a part of our landscape for centuries and continue to be an important part of our natural heritage. With their impressive hunting techniques, varied diet and diverse habitats, British birds of prey provide us with a fascinating insight into wildlife conservation. Although many species face threats from human activities such as habitat destruction and illegal hunting, there is still much that can be done to protect them. By understanding more about these amazing animals and taking steps to conserve their populations, we can ensure that future generations will also get to enjoy watching these birds soaring through our skies. Additional Resources Wetlands provide an important source of food supply all year round, so it is not surprising that marsh harriers have made this type of environment their home. Here they feed off frogs, fish and other aquatic creatures living within it, making wetland habitats essential for these raptors and other wildlife species. Coastal CliffsBritish birds of prey are found across the UK, with many species inhabiting a variety of habitats. These include woodlands, moorland, grasslands and wetlands. The most common type of habitat for these birds is open countryside or farmland where they can hunt easily. Some species prefer to live in more urban areas, such as parks and gardens, while others may inhabit mountainous regions or coastal cliffs. Let’s take a closer look at these preferred habitats below. Woodland A buzzard-sized bird of prey with a long tail. The marsh harrier flies with its wings lifted up in an obvious ‘V’ shape, though this can be hard to see from below. Patrolling low over reedbeds, it keeps its head down to scan for prey. Eats small mammals and birds. Marsh harriers drift slowly and buoyantly over reedbeds and marshes before dropping suddenly onto small mammals, frogs and birds./Credit: Getty Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus Sparrowhawks are adapted to hunting in woodland, taking birds from blue tits to pigeons and everything in between. The females are much bigger than males, which effectively creates two different hunters in their area. Sparrowhawks have short, blunted wings with their primary feathers creating 'fingers.' These short wings allow them to fly between trees and small spaces at speed. Their tails are long and squared at the ends, giving them the skill and agility to manouvre tight corners. In our ID guide, we take a closer look at some of Britain's most iconic birds of prey, offering information on how to identify them, what they eat, when they are most active and and best places to spot them.

An impressive bird, the Golden eagle hunts medium and large mammals and birds, including rabbits, voles, ptarmigans and sometimes even small or baby deer. Red kites are exceptionally large birds, measuring some 60 to 70cm on average with a wingspan of 175 to 185cm, and have a reddish-brown body and broad, white-tipped wings and large forked tail.Closer up, you can see their massive, broad wings have long fingers to them. Their feathers are generally a dark brown, gradually building to a golden brown colour on their heads; from which they get their name. Most readily identified by their characteristic hovering flight while hunting. They are able to hold their head immobile while adjusting their wings and tail to air currents, sometimes beating their wings rapidly to remain in place. This special skill earned them the colloquial name 'windhover'. Size The most common bird of prey in the UK is the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). It has a wide range and can be found across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The buzzard is easily identified by its large size, broad wingspan and distinctive mewing call. Its diet consists mainly of small mammals such as voles, mice and rabbits. It also feeds on insects, reptiles and carrion when available. The buzzard’s population numbers have been increasing steadily since the 1970s due to conservation efforts. They are now one of the most widespread birds of prey in Britain, with an estimated population of over 500,000. How do I identify birds of prey in flight? Birds of prey are birds that feed on animal flesh. They belong to the raptor family, defined by their talons and a hooked bill, and reside in almost every part of the UK, from the lowlands of Southern England and the coasts of Wales, to the great ridges, mountains and islands of the Scottish Highlands. Why do birds of prey hover?

Other than size, they differ in the buzard by having a longer tail. They'll fly with their wings in a 'V-shape' and flight from perching, or at low altitudes can seem laboured, with long, slow wing beats until they gather momentum or hit the hot air column.Some birds of prey hover in the air above their hunting grounds to spot prey. Kestrels are perhaps the best-known for hovering and can remain almost motionless in the air, with the slight tweak of a wing or tail to maintain their position. They use oncoming wind to provide them with uplift, meaning they don't have to beat their wings. Kestrels hover above fields and scrub to spot their prey/Credit: Lakes4life, Getty How to identify birds of prey Osprey, Pandion haliaetus After wintering on coasts and marshlands, the hen harrier breeds on uplands often on driven grouse moorlands that are managed for shooting. It is Britain's most highly persecuted bird of prey for its perceived role in hunting grouse though it will take mammals or small birds as it hovers and quarters for prey low to the ground. The courtship display – known as a sky-dance – is a rare but magical spectacle of early spring. The female – known as a ring tale for the markings on her upper tail – is brown, the male a ghostly bluish grey. Buzzard-sized. A female hen harrier has broad wings to fly at low speeds as she scans the moor below for food./Credit: Getty Buzzard, Buteo buteo