The largest is the Martial Eagle, with the adult female having an average wing span of 200 cm and an average weight of 5kg. There are several fascinating characteristics of raptors, most of them being adaptations to their diet and hunting techniques. This diet varies between species and can include insects, rats and mice, reptiles, including snakes, rodents, meerkats, birds, monkeys and even small antelope. Birds of prey are opportunists and many species will eat carrion when it is available. The beak of a raptor has a particularly awesome and powerful appearance.
Most raptors use their beak to rip off pieces of flesh from the body of their prey.
Falcons and kestrels, however, use it for killing their prey as well. The powerful and heavily taloned feet of a raptor are the tools that most use to capture and overpower their prey. The sharp talons provide an anchor which the bird needs in order to crush, and kill, its prey. The toes and talons, which are capable of exerting tremendous pressure, are controlled by very strong muscles in the thigh of the bird. Vision and hearing Raptors are able to see twice as well as people and are able to detect very small movement from many kilometres away.