Raptors & Upland Birds

Bird ID

100

This raptor is know for its red tail and soaring flight

red-tailed hawk

200

this owl hunts with silent wings and excellent hearing

great horned owl

300

this upland bird has a colorful male with a white neck ring

ring-necked pheasant 

400

This large upland bird has iridescent feathers and fans its tail

wild turkey

500

This prairie bird has orange neck sacs used in courtship displays

greater prairie chicken

Anatomy

100

Raptors use these sharp curved claws to catch prey

talons 

200

Upland birds use these type of claws to scratch the ground for seeds

flat claws or scratch-foraging claws

300

Raptors have this type of beak designed for tearing meat

hooked beak

400

this eye placement gives raptors depth perception while hunting

forward facing eyes

500

this feather adaptation helps owls fly quietly

silent flight feathers

Adaptations

100

This adaptation helps upland birds blend into tall grass

camouflage or camouflage feathers

200

hawks use these wide, stable wings for soaring

soaring wings or broad wings

300

This sense is especially strong in owls, helping them hun in low light

hearing

400

This adaptation helps pheasants burst upward quickly when threatened

strong legs for burst flight

quick flush-flight

500

Turkeys and pheasants avoid predators with this behavioral strategy

(hint: food searching method)

scratch foraging 

Diet & Habits

100

raptors mainly eat this type of food

meat

rodents, rabbits, small mammals

200

upland birds primarily eat these things found on the ground

(at least two things)

seeds, insects, berries, plants 

300

Owls are most active at this time of day

nighttime or nocturnal 

400

This hunting behavior describes how a hawk circles high above the ground searching for prey

soaring or circling 

500

This word describes birds that eat both plants and insects.

omnivore 

Compare & Contrast

100

Name one way raptors and upland birds are similar

Both have: feathers, wings, and survive in similar habitats

200

Name one way raptors and upland birds differ

Raptors: eat meat, binocular forward vision, fly a lot, catch live food

Upland Birds: eat plants & insects, eyes on side of head, mostly on the ground, herbivores/omnivores

300

Explain why raptors need forward-facing eyes

to judge distance and focus on prey

depth perception 

400

Explain why upland birds need camouflaged feathers 

to avoid predators by blending into habitat

500

Describe how upland birds and raptors avoid competing for the same food

They eat different foods

raptors hunt animals while upland birds eat plants/seeds/insects