Cranial kinesis describes the mobility of the maxilla or upper jaw. The maxilla is not locked in place. The mechanics of the maxilla allow it to slide forward and backward thus enabling the beak to open even wider. The mandibular notch, especially pronounced falcons, is a feature in raptor beaks that aids in killing prey. It is a sharp notch in the beak that can be slid between a victim's vertebrae to sever the spinal cord.
Talons are impressive claw-like features used to capture, hold, and kill prey.
Talons are unique to raptors. Other birds may have similar adaptations but they do not match the combined size and function of raptor talons. The endangered Philippine eagle has talons comparable in size to grizzly bear claws. The power of the feet combined with the piercing design of the talons can easily inflict severe injury even on much larger animals. There are incidents of captured raptors forcing a talon entirely through the gloved palm of a handler or grabbing at a baseball-sized clump of thigh.