Types of Predatory Rainforest Birds

The rainforest is home to many predatory animals, including a large number of birds of prey. These birds include eagles, owls and vultures. Predatory birds are carnivorous and are known to feed off other birds and smaller animals. Some of birds of prey are endangered; others are not but are rapidly declining in population due to destruction of the rainforest.

Vultures are medium to large-sized birds that feed on animals that are already dead. Vultures have complex immune systems that protect them from diseases found in decaying animals. King vultures and turkey vultures are two types of vultures found in Central and South American rain forests. King vultures are large birds that stand 30 inches tall, weigh about 6 to 10 pounds and have a wingspan of 4 to 5 feet. They have no feathers on their head and instead have brightly colored skin. They are mostly white with black feathers on their wing tips and tails. Turkey vultures can grow as large as 32 inches in length and have a 6 foot wingspan. They have brown-black feathers and a bald head covered in red skin.

Owls are nocturnal birds that prey on small creatures like mice, frogs and insects. Owls have distinctively large heads and forward-facing eyes. The great horned owl and the Moluccan hawk owl are two types of owls found in the rain forest. Muloccan hawk owl is a medium-sized hawk owl with dark reddish brown feathers on its upper body and a dark brown head and mantle. This owl is found in the Indonesian rain forest.The great horned owl has two “plumicorns”, tufts of feathers on each side of its head that resemble cat ears. Great horned owls are usually about 18 to 25 inches tall, weigh 2 to 5 pounds and have a wingspan of 3 to 4 feet. This owl is often found in Central and South American rain forests.

Eagles are medium to large-sized predatory birds with large talons and hooked beaks. Eagles will eat almost anything they can catch including monkeys, sloths, smaller birds and fish. The harpy eagle and the crested serpent eagle are two types of eagles that live in the rain forest. Harpy eagles are one of the world’s largest eagles and can grow up to 20 pounds and measure up to 40 inches in length with a wingspan over 6 feet. The harpy eagle lives in South and Central American rain forests.The crested serpent eagle is a medium-sized predatory bird that measures up to 29 inches in length. This eagle nests high in trees where it watches the ground for prey to swoop down and feed on. The crested serpent eagle can be found in Southern and Southeast Asian rain forests.

Hawks are small to medium-size birds with hooked beaks and long, sharp talons. Hawks will feed on almost anything they can catch but due to their modest size they mostly feed on small rodents, rabbits, snakes and lizards. Two types of hawks that live in the rain forest are the red-tailed hawk and the long-tailed hawk. Red-tailed hawks are found in Central American and Caribbean rain forests and are known for their distinct red tail feathers. Long-tailed hawks have a dark greyish-brown body with long white tail feathers. Long-tailed hawks are commonly found in Western and Central African rain forests.

Sources:

Laurie Likoff, The Encyclopedia of Birds

Top Predators: Rainforest Eagles, All About Wildlife

Vultures, The Peregrine Fund