Differences Between The Hawk And Other Birds example essay topic

Major Groups of the Animal The major group that hawks belong to is the bird group. Hawkshave wings and feathers to fly. Which all are characteristics of birds. The hawk has eyes on the sides of its head so it can see all around, similar to a normal bird. The differences between the hawk and other birds is that the hawk is a bird of prey.

'Birds of prey'; or raptors make their living by hunting, killing, and consuming live animals. They are at the top of the ecological food chain which makes the hawk a top consumer. Evolution The hawk is closely related to all birds of prey. Any bird that makes its living by hunting, killing, and consuming live animals has a characteristic similar to the hawk. Even though owls are not related to eagles, falcons, and vultures they have similar hunting habits and similar equipment for catching and killing - sharp, hooked beaks, and strong, sharp, curved toenails or talons.

Owls are nocturnal for the most part and the others hunt during the day. Hawks evolved from raptors which also were birds of prey. Hawks evolved with eagles and falcons mainly but also with some other birds as well. Habitat and Biome Hawks live in all different habitats. Some in the foothills of the mountains while others live in the brushy open country and badlands of Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and South-central California. Also in North and Central America for a more wide variety of hawks.

Its biome would be in the Deciduous area as well as the Grassland and parts of the desert. Tropic Level / Niche The hawk is at the top of the ecological food chain. It is the top consumer of the food chain. Nothing eats it because it is at the highest level. The hawk eats almost everything and anything that is living. From starlings and sparrows and pigeons and quail to reptiles and amphibians.

Even ground squirrels and field mice. Almost all rodents along with fish which are eaten by certain kinds of hawks. The hawk lives amongst the tallest trees in the woods. They plant their nest very high up so they can keep a close lookout on everything that is going on.

It also helps to have the nest high to keep predators away from the hawks young. Feeding and Defense Adaptations Hawks are not nocturnal, like the owl, but only come out during the day to hunt. What a hawk does to get food is to soar very high up in the sky peering down in the fields and grasslands looking for something to eat weather it be a mouse or a chipmunk or even a snake. Some hawks will chase down birds such as pigeons or sparrows. With the hawks great maneuvering skills, it can chase its prey through trees and bushes.

The hawk uses its talons to protect itself and its young. Humans are the predators which rarely effect the hawk and its life. We usually kill it by destroying the hawks habitat indirectly. Its young may be in the tree that we cut down, therefore lowering the number of hawks. Not very drastically though. Hawksonly predators are coyotes and other such animals that can attack their young if it is out of the nest.

The hawks will defend their young at all costs. Reproduction Hawks reproduce once a year. They have one mate for their whole life. Unless, of course if one dies then the other hawk will find anew mate. It usually lays 3-5 blotched or spotted eggs a year, depending on food supply. Hawks reproduction has many factors that determine weather or not the bird will reproduce.

If the food isn't abundant then the hawks may not reproduce as many eggs, if any. Ifthe mate dies or finds a new mate then the other hawk may not reproduce for that year. Hawks will leave their mate, under certain conditions.