"Birds of prey" is the term used to describe the hawk, falcon and owl families.  They are also known as "raptors."  All of these birds are faunivores - their diet consists of animals. The hawk and falcon families are "diurnal," that is, they are most active during broad daylight. The owl families are mainly "nocturnal," meaning that they are more active at night.

The Accipitridae or Hawk family includes eagles, hawks, kites and Old World vultures. Their nearest relatives are osprey, falcons, American vultures and condors. Species of the hawk family are found almost worldwide, although not in the Antarctic, North Arctic or on many oceanic islands. Hawk family species range in size from the small sharp-shinned hawk to the enormous harpy eagle of south Mexico and South America.

The Falconidae, or Falcon family, may resemble the hawk family in many ways but is set apart from it because the falcons have a bill that is toothed and notched. Falcons are found almost worldwide, with much the same range at the hawk family. There are 58 species, including the kestrel of Eurasia and Africa. The falcon family species range from the tiny pygmy falcons of Africa, Asia and South America to the large gyrfalcon.

The Strigidae family, or Owl family, is a little confusing. All owls, with the EXCEPTION of the barn and bay owls are classified as strigidae (which means 'owl' or 'night bird'). The Strigidae are known as the 'typical owl' family.

The barn owl family is called "Tytonidae" and includes 11 species of barn owl and their allies. They are closely related to 'typical owls', but are different because they have a triangular or heart-shaped face instead of a round one and they have feathers on their faces that are known as 'facial discs'. They have short, square tails while typical owls have rounded tails.

Owls occur in the same ranges as the other birds of prey. The smallest owl in the world is the North American Elf Owl and the largest is the gray owl.

Find out who's hoot in birds of prey.