Eagles have feathered legs, snake eagles are different here, as they have scales on their legs.Īquila eagles have a very long hind talon for killing prey, used by piercing the vertebrae or skull of the prey.

(The fingertips provide stability when soaring). EaglesĮagles have wings that are long and broad and have well developed fingertips or slotting. With nine species occurring locally, falling into different Genera Gyohierax, Gypaetus, Neophron, Necyrosyrtes, Gype, and Aegypius. (The palm nut and the bearded vulture are exceptions and have feathers on their heads.) All vultures are primarily scavengers. They have long necks and very sparse or no feathers on their heads. VulturesVultures primarily do not have feet or talons designed for attacking or catching prey. The kestrels and falcons are of the Genus Falco, with the exception being the pygmy falcon of the Genus Polihierax. There are 5 species of kestrel and 16 species of falcons found in South Africa. Falcons hunt mostly avian prey in the air and have moustachial stripes or markings, with some only having these in the juvenile phase. Kestrels do not have moustachial stripes and primarily catch their prey on the ground. To sub-divide between falcons and kestrels. They will nest in existing nests or some do not use a nest and lay their eggs on a ledge.įalcons and kestrels have a bony nasal tube at the base of the bill that is thought to measure the speed of flights by air flow through it. They have pointed wings and they do not build their own nests.

Kestrels, Falcons and Hobbysįalcons and kestrels are essentially the same, they are falcons.

Three species of kites occur in South Africa. The Black-shouldered kite will hover at height while tracking its prey, before swooping down to catch the prey. KitesKites are named for their habit of hovering like kites when hunting. © Karl SvendsenMartial Eagle (Polematus bellicosus)

Kite bird vs eagle