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Capricorn Coast Birds
Raptors		  
Raptor is a broad term for any bird that pursues other animals for food. Birds of prey are classified in two orders: Falconiformes and Strigiformes. Diurnal birds of prey—hawks, eagles, vultures, and falcons (Falconiformes)—are also called raptors, derived from the Latin raptare, “to seize and carry off.” (In a broader sense, the name raptor is sometimes synonymous with the designation “bird of prey.”) The nocturnal birds of prey are the owls (Strigiformes). The condors (species of vultures) and the eagles are among the largest and strongest of birds. All birds of prey have hook-tipped beaks and sharp curved claws called talons (in nonpredatory vultures the talons are present but atrophied). In spite of the similarities between the two groups, many authorities believe that they are not closely related, but rather that they developed similar methods of living a predatory life.
  
 
     
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Size 50-65cm 		  Brahminy Kite
Haliastur indus
Size 45-50cm		   Nankeen Kestrel
Falco cenchroides
Size 30-35cm 		 
   
 
   
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Size 35-50cm
  Whistling Kite
Haliastur sphenurus
Size 50-60cm 		  Black Kite
Milvus migrans
Size 45-55cm		  
           
     
Pacific Baza
Aviceda subcristata
Size 35-45cm 		  Wedge-tailed Eagle
Aquila audax
Size 85-105cm		   White-bellied Sea Eagle
Haliaeetus leucogaster
Size 75-85cm 		 
           
     
Collared Sparrowhawk
Accipiter cirrhocephalus
Size 30-40cm 		  Brown Falcon
Falco berigora
Size 40-50cm 		  Australian Hobby   
Falco longipennis
Average size 35cm		  
     
     
 
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Diurnal birds of prey traditionally belong to the order Falconiformes:
Accipitridae: Hawks, eagles, buzzards, harriers, kites and Old World vultures.
Pandionidae:Osprey (sometimes classified as subfamily Pandioninae of the previous family)
Sagittariidae: Secretary-bird
Falconidae: Falcons

The New World vultures are usually also regarded as birds of prey, although they may not be closely related to the other groups.
Nocturnal birds of prey - the owls - are classified in two families;
Strigidae; (typical owls)
Tytonidae;barn and bay owls