HAWKS Hawks are one of nature’s most incredible hunters These raptors or birds of prey eat meat They track and catch their dinner with amazing eyesight Their wings give them speed and power Their talons and beaks are perfectly designed for capturing and ripping through flesh 4
A hawk’s sight strength and speed make it a predator to be respected Many military ships planes missiles and sports teams are named after hawks These birds have amazed people for centuries Red-Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis XTREME FACT The word raptor comes from the Latin word rapere which means to seize by force 5
SPECIES There are more than 200 hawk species in the world At least 17 species live in North America Hawks are divided into two categories by their Latin names Accipiter and Buteo Accipiters or true hawks are slim birds with broad rounded wings and long tails This shape allows them to fly fast and change directions quickly as they chase prey Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus XTREME FACT Accipiters are divided into goshawks and sparrowhawks Goshawks are larger and eat both mammals and birds Sparrowhawks usually eat birds 6 6
Buteos are larger hawks with wide bodies and broad wings They are bigger than Accipiters These hawks are also called buzzards This term is usually used outside of North America Gray Hawk Buteo plagiatus 77
