Cape May County - Birds of Prey

September 02, 2010
3:30 PM

Birds of Prey

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cordata
Class: Aves

A Bird of Prey is defined as any bird that uses its sharp beak and strong talons to capture and eat live prey. We have several different species of birds of prey scattered throughout the zoo. Here are just a few of them.

Family: Falconidae

Photo by Kim Constantine
Crested Caracara (Polborus plancus) is a scavenger bird of prey that can be found throughout Central, South America and Southern areas of the United States. I will eat nearly anything from eggs to insects and often steals its food from other birds.

Family: Strigiformes
Photo by Kim Constantine
Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) prefer a cold climate and so Southern New Jersey is located at the southern borders of their range. Their color plumage is ideal for the winter habitat.

Family: Accipitridea

Photo by Pete Cyr
Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were once highly endangered by the decalcification of their eggs due to human's use of DDT, a pesticide. However today they have been removed from the State Endangered and Threatened list as they number are increasing.

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