Raptors are one of the most engaging of our avian groups. Today, we consider them carnivorous birds with hooked beaks, keen eyesight, and talons, but that definition has changed in the last fifty years. And not all birds we call raptors fit that description.
Falcons, hawks, eagles, harriers, vultures, owls, and kites are among those in that group. Recent genetic analyses have shed much light on their evolution. Combining that with continental drift and climate variations tells an incredible story of adaptation to this changing world. Understanding evolutionary relations is a field of much research and scientific discussion. Taxonomic classifications have changed many times during my seventy years on this planet, and they will continue to change in the next few decades as new research brings new data to the discussion.
In 2015, the bird community acknowledged that genetic analyses had convincingly shown that falcons were a different evolutionary branch than hawks, eagles, and vultures. Falcons appeared to be more closely related to parrots than to these other raptors. Then, where and how do owls fit into the evolution of birds?
Parallel to this work on birds have been geologic studies of continental drift and climate variation. When I started birding in the 1960s, continental drift was a new idea, and even when I entered graduate school in the 1970s, it was not entirely accepted. But now, we understand this process much better and where the continents might have been at different periods in the past. Could one combine our understanding of bird evolution with the distribution of various groups and our current knowledge of continental drift? What might that tell us?
Raptor Presentation
In this presentation, I ask questions about how, when, and where raptors evolved. We will explore how recent genetic analyses have shed new light on bird evolution. Adding continental drift and changing climate will help us ponder these ideas. Considering convergence and divergent evolution will help in understanding appearance and habits. I do not pretend to have all the answers; these ideas will change with new research.
This presentation concerns pondering, reflecting, and finding joy in birds. May it leave you with new ideas to consider when seeing a raptor.
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The owl photo is amazing! I so enjoy learning more about birds from you. It has changed the way I look at them, not just photographing, but studying their behavior and appreciating how complicated they are.
Thanks so much. Birds are so fascinating, so diverse and exciting. I’m trying to learn to ID gulls right now. The plumage variations are driving me nuts. Hope all is well!