Birds of prey, also known as raptors, include species like eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and vultures. These birds have excellent vision, powerful talons, and sharp beaks that make them effective hunters. People who study birds of prey are typically called ornithologists or raptor biologists. Raptor biology is a specialized field within ornithology that focuses specifically on birds of prey. Experts in this field are invaluable for researching raptor behavior, conducting raptor conservation efforts, rehabilitating injured birds of prey, and educating the public.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about people who study raptors:
- What is a person who studies hawks and eagles called? A person who studies hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey is called a raptor biologist or ornithologist.
- What do you call an expert on owls? An expert who specifically studies owls is called an owl biologist. They are considered a type of raptor biologist.
- What is someone called who rescues birds of prey? Someone who rescues and rehabilitates injured or orphaned raptors is called a raptor rehabilitator.
- What do you call someone who trains falcons? A person who trains falcons is specifically referred to as a falconer.
- What is the name for a scientist who studies vultures? A scientist who focuses their research on vulture species is known as a vulture biologist.
- What do you call an academic who teaches about eagles? An academic who teaches courses on eagles is called a professor of raptor biology or ornithology.
Education and Background
To become an expert in raptor biology requires many years of focused education and fieldwork. Here is a typical background:
- A bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, animal science, or ecology with coursework in ornithology.
- A master’s degree in wildlife biology, physiology, avian biology, or zoology with a research focus on raptors.
- PhD programs exist specifically in raptor biology and provide extensive field research opportunities.
- Working as field technicians on raptor research and conservation projects to gain hands-on experience.
- Volunteering at wildlife rehabilitation centers to learn how to handle and care for birds of prey.
- Completing internships at nature centers or museums to improve scientific communication skills.
Beyond formal education, passion and dedication to raptor conservation is a must. Gaining knowledge from veteran raptor biologists through mentorships, apprenticeships, and training programs is also highly valued.
Common Work Environments
There are diverse work environments open to those committed to a career in raptor biology:
- Field Research – Studying raptors in the wild across different habitats and ecosystems.
- Rehabilitation Centers – Caring for injured or orphaned birds of prey and releasing them back into the wild.
- Zoos or Aquariums – Managing bird of prey exhibits, breeding programs, and educational shows.
- Conservation Groups – Conducting species population surveys, lobbying for protective legislation, and habitat restoration.
- University Academics – Teaching ornithology and raptor biology courses and supervising student research.
- Environmental Consulting Firms – Conducting environmental impact surveys related to birds of prey.
- Government Agencies – Informing wildlife management policies and enforcement of regulations.
The work may be office-based or almost entirely field-based depending on the specific role and organization. Publishing research in academic journals is also a common responsibility.
Importance for Ecosystems
Experts in raptor biology play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Here are some of the key reasons why studying and conserving birds of prey matters:
- Raptors are top predators and help regulate populations of prey species below them in the food chain.
- They serve important functions like scavenging carcasses and clearing disease-spreading rodents.
- Birds of prey are sensitive indicators of environmental contamination making them valuable research subjects.
- Specialized raptors pollinate plants and disperse seeds over large distances.
- They control invasive and overabundant species that can cause ecosystem imbalance.
- Raptors generate interest in conservation and provide education about fragile habitats.
Without raptor biologists and rehabilitators, many essential birds of prey would decline or even go extinct. Their specialized knowledge helps inform critical habitat management and species recovery plans.
Characteristics of Successful Raptor Biologists
What does it take to succeed as a raptor biologist? Here are the top traits and abilities characteristic of those who excel in the field:
- Patience – Much time is spent observing raptors in the wild waiting to record meaningful data.
- Physical stamina – Fieldwork often requires long hours hiking rugged terrain in adverse weather.
- Attention to detail – Precise and accurate record-keeping is crucial for research analysis.
- Independent initiative – Self-motivation is needed to complete projects with minimal supervision.
- Troubleshooting skills – Challenges arise regularly in field conditions requiring quick problem-solving.
- Raptor expertise – Identifying different species, sexes, and age groups is essential for study validity.
- Analytical ability – Data synthesis and critical thinking enables sound conclusions from research.
The most successful raptor biologists are intensely passionate about their work and dedicated to achieving conservation impact. This drive enables them to overcome the numerous challenges inherent in protecting birds of prey.
Raptor Biology Career Examples
Here are profiles of three real people who have made careers out of studying and advocating for birds of prey:
Helen Nash – Raptor Rehabilitator
Helen is the founder and director of a raptor rehabilitation center in Colorado. She has over 25 years experience caring for injured hawks, owls, falcons, and eagles. Helen directs a staff of volunteer rehabilitators who provide medical treatment and housing for 200+ recovering birds each year. Her goal is to heal raptors and return them to the wild. Helen also educates the public through bird releases, facility tours, and events.
Dr. David Bird – Raptor Researcher
Dr. Bird is a raptor biologist and professor at McGill University. His field research focuses on peregrine falcon conservation. Dr. Bird has studied peregrines across 20 countries. His work demonstrated how DDT pesticides caused the falcons’ decline, but restricting DDT allowed their populations to recover. Over his 40-year career, Dr. Bird has published over 100 scientific papers on raptor biology and ecology.
Maria Fernandez – Eagle Advocate
Maria is a conservation advocate for the Philippine eagle. There are less than 400 pairs left in the wild. Maria works with government officials to designate protected forest reserves for the eagles. She also initiated a nest monitoring program that pays and trains former eagle hunters to help research and protect the birds. Her public education campaigns in rural villages have reduced eagle poaching by over 30%.
Significance of Raptor Biologists
Raptor biologists make invaluable and varied contributions to science and society:
- Generate new scientific insights into raptor behavior, evolution, and adaptability.
- Produce practical data to inform wildlife management policies for threatened species.
- Devise innovative conservation strategies and methods.
- Rehabilitate and release hundreds of injured birds of prey back into natural habitats.
- Educate communities about reducing harmful impacts on raptor populations.
- Train the next generation of raptor biology students.
- Advocate for improved legal protections and expanded habitat reserves.
Given the numerous threats birds of prey face – from habitat loss to poisoning – expertise in raptor biology is increasingly valuable. These scientists, rehabilitators and advocates ensure the survival of species humans rely on both ecologically and culturally.
Conclusion
Those who choose to dedicate themselves to studying birds of prey like eagles, hawks, and owls take on the role of raptor biologists or ornithologists. Their specialized knowledge helps document and protect these majestic hunter species. Passion for raptor conservation coupled with scientific rigor enables raptor biologists to produce research and inform policies that benefit vulnerable birds of prey. Given the ecological significance of raptors, experts in their biology play an essential and meaningful role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and human appreciation for the natural world.