GWPHOTOS

Birds of prey are also referred to as raptors. The term raptor is derived from "rapio", a latin word meaning to seize, carry off or destroy. These birds have excellent eyesight for detecting food at a great distance, strong feet with sharp curved claws called talons for grasping or killing prey, and powerful, hook shaped beaks for tearing flesh. The majority of the images in this gallery are of osprey. Adult osprey have bright yellow eyes with a dark pupil, juvenile osprey have orange-yellow eyes that brighten to yellow after reaching sexual maturity in two or three years. This gallery also contains images of a red-tailed hawk, bald eagle, great horned owl, barn owl, barred owl, Eurasian eagle-owl, Harris's hawk and merlin falcon. Hover over image for file number and description, click on image to enlarge.