Hawks
Hawks are strong, powerful birds. Their feet are equipped with sharp,
curved talons for capturing prey, and their strong beaks are hooked for
biting and tearing flesh. Swift fliers, some hawks can attain speeds of
over 150 miles per hour when diving. Some species undertake long
migrational journeys, traveling thousands of miles each year - a
testimony to their strength and stamina.Their sense of hearing is
excellent, and their eyesight is the best in the entire animal world.
Not only can hawks see greater distances than humans, but their visual
acuity (the ability to see clearly) is eight times that of ours. Hawks
also see in color. "Hawk" is a general term used to describe the entire
group of diurnal ("active by day") predatory birds. Worldwide there are
approximately 270 species of carnivorous birds that comprise the order
Falconiformes - the scientific name for hawk. All are classified as
birds of prey, or raptors..Although all hawks have certain basic
similarities such as keen eyesight, hooked beaks and taloned feet, a
wide diversity of forms exists among them. For instance, an American
Kestrel weights only 4 ounces, while a Bald Eagle can weigh 13 pounds -
52 times as much.
» Length: between 17 and 24 inches
» Wingspan: about 45 inches.
» Diet - mainly rodents like woodrats and ground squirrels, but also takes birds including ducks, quail, doves and even rails and gallinules. They may occasionally take reptiles and carrion. In certain regions of Mexico, their primary food is lizards.
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