Birds are the ornaments of nature.
Various species of birds roam in the fields, forests, wetlands or even homesteads of Bangladesh.
A large part of them are the birds of prey.
They are found all over Bangladesh.
They mainly hunt and feed on animals, especially vertebrates.
So, they have strong beak and talons.
Also, they possess exceptionally sharp eyesight and physical strength.
Birds of prey of Bangladesh are divided in 2 groups.
In one group there are diurnal Kite, Eagle, Shikra, Osprey, Bazas, Buzzard, Harrier.
The other group includes the nocturnal Owl.
Kite is one of the prominent raptor birds of Bangladesh.
Among them Brahminy Kite are widely known and widely distributed across the country.
They travel the skies and seek out their prey.
In an instant they spot and snatch fish, crab, snake or frog with their talons.
The smallest Kite of Bangladesh, Black-winged Kites are sometimes seen in the Sundarbans, Chattogram hill tracts and rural areas.
They usually roost on the electric pillar, cables or high trees.
Black Kite is another member of the Kite family.
Brownish in color, they are a common sight.
Though they hunt live prey, they also feed on carrion and garbage.
A large portion of Bangladesh’s birds of prey consist of Eagle.
White-bellied sea eagle is a common sight in the World Heritage Site Sundarbans.
They are also found in the coastal forests.
Crested Serpent Eagle is found waiting for its prey in Sundarbans and other forests.
As they mainly feed on snake, they are called Crested Serpent Eagle.
Another raptor bird of Sundarbans is the Crested hawk-eagle.
They can turn their color dusky brown or light brown.
As a marshy forest, Sundarbans abound in fish.
So, the Ospreys seek out safe harbor in the Sundarbans.
Critically endangered worldwide the Pallas's fish eagles are also seen in the Sundarbans.
They are also seen in the Haor regions.
They nest in the high trees of the haor and live in the same nest for many years.
Similar in looks another bird is the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.
Depending on food habit their life centers around wetlands.
Greater Spotted Eagle is a large sized raptor bird.
In winter they migrate to Kaptai Lake, Haor and other coastal water bodies.
Shikra is smaller but quite agile bird.
They are expert hunters.
Similar in characteristics is Besra.
Vulture too is a bird of prey.
But their contribution in keeping nature clean by eating the carrions is undeniable.
Though they thrived in Bangladesh in the past, now they are critically endangered.
Many species of Bazas make up a significant portion of the birds of prey.
Black Bazas is prominent among them.
These crested birds prefer deep forest for habitat.
Some Bazas are also found near human abode.
Red-necked Falcon prefer to live in high and aged trees of villages or cities.
However, with decreasing trees, they now using buildings or electric pillars for survival.
They build large sized nest there to lay eggs and hatch chicks.
Various species of Owl also hunt to feed.
Owls have quite a distinct shape, face and eyes.
Most owls are nocturnal.
So, they rest in the trees in daytime.
With dusk they go on hunting for food.
Some owl are diurnal.
The only diurnal owl in Bangladesh is Short Eared Owl.
They migrate to Bangladesh.
Owls and other birds of prey are immensely beneficial birds.
Hunting rats they save the crops.
Clearing carrions and garbage they keep our nature clean.
They keep the wetlands healthy by feeding on sick and weakened fish.
Overall they play significant role in maintaining the balance of nature.
But irresponsible deforestation has impaired their roaming and breeding grounds.
Also, scarcity of food has decreased their numbers alarmingly.
So, to conserve the birds of prey we have to conserve the forests and wetlands.
Only then their presence will enliven the nature of Bangladesh.