The term “raptor” became popular due to the movie Jurassic Park. It means a bird that hunts small animals or other birds. The word is derived from the Latin rapere, meaning to snatch. Raptors appeal to the primitive in us with their hunting.

The most important features of a raptor are its hunting tools. It needs to catch prey and tear its flesh. For this, it has sharp claws attached to strong legs and a hooked bill with a sharp cutting edge. Sharp eyesight is important so the raptor can see prey that is far away or camouflaged. What about flying speed? Surprisingly, although many raptors, such as peregrine falcons, fly very fast, other raptors such as harriers are slow fliers. So the flight speed varies with the needs of the raptor.

There are many species of raptors in the world. One large group (order) of them, called Falconiformes, which includes eagles, kites and falcons, has around 300 species. Another order, called Strigiformes, contains over 200 species of owls.

The raptors in Bangladesh include eagles and eagle-like birds, falcons, buzzards, kites, owls, harriers, shikras, besras, bazas, ospreys and the smaller shrikes.

About a dozen species of eagles can be seen in Bangladesh. While many of these are seasonal, the crested serpent eagle, the white-bellied sea eagle, and the grey-headed fish eagle live here year round. The first is usually found in wooded rural areas, the second near the coast and the third near water bodies. Another eagle, the Pallas's fish eagle, is awe-inspiring. It is a seasonal migrant that nests and breeds in Bangladesh. This large bird, with a wingspan of two metres, can be seen in Sylhet's haors during winter.

Our most common falcon is the common kestrel, seen during winter. Many raptors are shy, but the kestrel can be friendly and is readily seen on top of the pylons in Purbachol. I have seen other falcons such as peregrine and red-headed falcons only fleetingly, also in Purbachol. If you are there, keep an eye on the sky and you may see an oriental honey-buzzard circling overhead, recognizable by the intricate patterns on its wings.

Kites are probably our commonest raptors. Indeed, if you look up on a clear day in most places in Bangladesh you are likely to see a brahminy or a black kite in flight. The latter's tail is V-shaped. Both these kites are more scavenger than raptor as they eat carrion and waste. Another kite, the black-winged kite, can be seen in rural areas. This full-time raptor is a magnificent bird, black and white, with bright red eyes. It can hover over fields while looking for prey.

Shrikes are smaller raptors. They are also known as butcher birds because of the way they impale the carcass of their prey on thorns or sharp branches like butchers. Our most common shrike is the long-tailed shrike, with an orange body, which is seen in fields and lightly wooded places year-round. Shrikes are conspicuous because they perch on top of poles and branches while scanning for prey. In winter, we also have the brown shrike, the grey-backed shrike and the (rare) Burmese shrike visiting us.

I have seen ospreys in Sundarban and in the haors. Recognized by the black band running across the side of their face, they sometimes fly while carrying a fish.

In my experience, our other raptors are harder to find and require a lucky (and patient) trip to the forest.

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