Table of contents
- Eagle (Aquila)
- Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
- Short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
- lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina)
- Buzzards (Buteos)
- Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
- Rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus)
- Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
- Falcon (Falco)
- Wood Hawk (Falco subbuteo)
- Merlin (Falco columbarius)
- Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)
- Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
- Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
- Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
- Kites (Milvinae)
- Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
- Black kite (Milvus migrans)
- Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
- consecration (circus)
- Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
- Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
- Steppe harrier (Circus macrourus)
- Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)
When a bird of prey makes its rounds over the fields or forests, it is fascinating. The list of small birds of prey in Germany was created to make it a little easier to identify the species.
Eagle (Aquila)
Not all eagles are big and clumsy. There are also species in our homeland that are smaller and more agile. However, the large and the smaller species have one thing in common, they have broad wings and a slow wing beat, which is interrupted by a gliding flight on gliding routes.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
- Size like buzzard
- angled long wings
- brown plumage
- Underside pure white
- Prey consists of fish, amphibians, small mammals and birds
- becomes up to 30 years old
- migratory bird
- only in winter in local areas
A notice:
Many of the birds of prey presented here are migratory birds that either only spend the summer and breeding season or the winter with us. The rest of the time, these birds stay in other parts of Europe.
Short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
- has a remarkably large head
- otherwise just medium sized
- light bottom
- migratory bird
- only here in winter
- Prey small mammals and birds, reptiles, snakes
- becomes up to 15 years old
lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina)
- small eagle species
- about 65 centimeters tall
- dark plumage
- whitish markings on tail
- less spotting in young birds
- breeds in East Germany
- Horstbau on trees
- migratory bird
- Food Frogs, lizards, mice, snakes and carrion
- becomes up to 20 years old
A notice:
The lesser spotted eagle, which often screams, also hunts on foot. He runs after the prey.
Buzzards (Buteos)
The buzzards look very similar to the eagles in movement and body shape, but are smaller. As a rule, these birds of prey in Germany are out and about in the rural open areas, where they wait for prey animals or circle for hours over the fields.
Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
- Size between 46 and 58 centimeters
- different color variations
- from light to brown
- wide wings
- Tail broad and rounded
- covered with tight ribbons in every color variation
- "shakes" every now and then like the kestrel
- preferred prey mice and small mammals
- breeds on forest edges or copses
Tip:
The common buzzard, which you have certainly heard of, is actually the most common bird of prey in Germany.
Rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus)
- Size 49 - 59 centimeters
- resembles the common buzzard
- plumage lighter
- cold gray with dark spots on the belly
- white tail with dark terminal band
- "shakes" similar to the kestrel
- feeds on small rodents
- regular visitor in winter
- migratory bird
Tip:
The rough-legged buzzard is able to perceive ultraviolet light and can thus track its prey based on urine and faeces.
Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
- long, narrow wings
- three-banded tail
- relatively small head
- is stretched forward like a dove in flight
- several color variations of the plumage possible
- habitat in forest areas
- breeds in the local latitudes
- has a typical two-syllable reputation
- Food consists of wasps and wasp larvae
- migratory bird
A notice:
In the case of birds of prey, the tail is also often called a push, the wings are also called wings.
Falcon (Falco)
The agile falcons are among the fastest fliers among the birds of prey in Germany. They are slender with pointed, long wings that they use to flap quickly. The falcons succeed in chasing their prey in a torrential storm flight.
Wood Hawk (Falco subbuteo)
- looks similar to the peregrine falcon
- is smaller
- rust red legs
- striped in the abdominal area
- sails in flight
- Prey insects and small birds
- Hunting takes place in rapid flight
- migratory bird
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
- smallest falcon in Europe
- approx. 28 centimeters
- females larger than males
- in the abdominal area distinct stripes
- male slate blue
- female brown
- does not breed in Germany
- migratory bird
- commonly seen here in winter
- Food Large insects, birds and small mammals
Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)
- small hawk species
- smaller than pigeons
- Males have rust-red feet and legs
- Females head and belly rusty red
- back banded with grey
- migratory bird
- rarely breeds in Germany
- Food from insects such as dragonflies or beetles
A notice:
The red-footed falcon can usually be observed in spring in Germany on the way back to its breeding grounds. These are in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
- Bird of the Year 2007
- with a size of 38 centimeters it is the largest species of falcon
- can be easily recognized by the "shaking".
- Females banded brown on head and tail
- Males are gray here
- is very common in Germany
- likes to hang around tall buildings
- Prey on large insects, bugs, small birds, voles, lizards
- will be around 15 years old
A notice:
The kestrel, but also various other birds of prey “shake”, that is, they remain flapping their wings in one place in the air, with their tails spread.
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
- largest falcon species
- between 38 and 50 centimeters
- Males darker and larger than females
- Juveniles brown, striped underside
- adult birds banded on abdomen
- rare breeding bird in Germany
- rarely pulls through
- preferred food are birds
- Life expectancy up to 15 years
Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
Goshawks are not divided into different species. The raptors have the following characteristics:
- about the size of the buzzard
- females often smaller
- Young birds yellowish plumage on the belly
- Adult birds black and white
- broad, short wings
- agile and fast flight
- Surprise attacks rule the hunt
- are rarely observed
- Woody and forest habitat
- but often also close to the city like in a park
A notice:
In a large population, the goshawk can certainly become a problem for native and endangered animal species, such as grouse. Otherwise, the bird of prey prefers birds and small mammals as prey, although the prey birds can also be larger than itself.
Kites (Milvinae)
The kites are very slender birds of prey that have a long, forked tail and long wings. The rather slow flapping of the wings is particularly significant here.
Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
- Also called "King of the Air".
- about the size of the buzzard
- reddish plumage
- angled, long wings
- deeply forked long tail
- feeds on small mammals
- carrion is also part of the diet
- migratory bird
Black kite (Milvus migrans)
- about 58 centimeters tall
- Females are a little larger
- darker plumage than the red kite
- Tail less forked
- is common in bodies of water
- loves socializing
- prefers lizards, snakes, fish, birds and small mammals
- dead fish are also part of the diet
- breeds in trees
- migratory bird
- can live up to 20 years
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
The sparrow hawk, of which there are no subspecies, looks very similar to the hawk and is often confused with it. However, the bird of prey is quite small:
- Size 32 to 37 centimeters
- females larger than males
- broad and short wings
- black and white drawing
- both young and adult birds
- hidden habitat in forests
- Hunting flight directly over vegetation
- faster and more agile plane
- Attacks on prey are surprising
- prefers small bird species
consecration (circus)
Harriers look quite similar to kites and can easily be confused. However, harriers lack the forked tail. In addition, the harriers fly in a low rocking flight, if you look at them closely, you will quickly notice the owl-like face, which makes them easier to recognize.
Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
- Size 43 to 52 centimeters
- males ash grey
- female brown
- both light spot on tail
- ground breeders
- rarely occurs here
- migratory bird in winter
- prefers near-natural habitats such as moors or swamps
- feeds on insects, birds and small rodents
A notice:
Hen harriers used to be breeding birds in Germany. Due to the increasing lack of habitats, the resident hen harriers in this country are unfortunately almost extinct and there are only a few populations left.
Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
- 43 to 55 centimeters tall
- largest and most vigorous species of harriers
- Males contrasting plumage
- Females white on wings and head
- lives in wetlands
- here in the reeds
- often with several pairs next to each other
- migratory bird
- Hunting in the open countryside
- Prey on insects, birds and small mammals
Steppe harrier (Circus macrourus)
- Size between 43 to 48 centimeters
- not so common in Germany
- often at train time
- looks very similar to hen harrier
- Males lighter in the abdomen than Hen Harrier
- open countryside preferred for breeding
- migratory bird
- Hunt in a gleeful search flight
- for small mammals and small birds
A notice:
All harrier species look very similar and are often indistinguishable, even for experts, when they are discovered in the wild. Because the differences are very minimal.
Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)
- Size 43 - 47 centimeters
- similar appearance of the hen harrier
- but less white on the tail
- Males also have a narrow black band on the wing
- also very slender and pointed wings
- preferred food lizards, young birds, small mammals and insects
- migratory bird
- ground breeders
- increasingly common on agricultural land
- therefore highly endangered
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