Lords of the Skies
With beaks and talons specifically developed to swiftly dispatch their prey, raptors can be found fishing and hunting all around Tobago, as Faraaz Abdool reports . All photos by Faraaz Abdool Powerful, fierce and noble, birds of prey have held us in awe for millennia. Eagles, hawks, kites and falcons – or raptors as they’re collectively known – are ruthless and calculating monarchs of the avian universe. Some of the largest and most powerful specialize in making prey of primates while the smallest raptors terrorize crickets, locusts and other insects. A healthy natural ecosystem ensures the survival of species at the top of the food chain. Thus, the presence of these majestic bird hunters indicates that the food web in the forest and on the coasts is healthy. Images of these regal birds often highlight their sharply hooked and deadly beaks, but raptors’ weapons of choice are razor sharp talons. Whether they feed on rodents, fish or snails, each species is ...