Avivore facts for kids

The bald eagle is a type of avivore.

Imagine an animal that mostly eats birds! That's exactly what an avivore is. It's a type of animal that mainly hunts and eats birds. The word "avivore" comes from Latin words: "avis" meaning bird, and "vorare" meaning to devour. So, an avivore is a "bird-eater."

Birds that Eat Birds

Many avivores are birds themselves! These are called avian avivores. They are often powerful birds of prey with sharp talons and beaks, perfect for catching and eating other birds.

Famous Avian Avivores

• Hawks: These birds are known for their strong eyesight and quick dives. Many species of hawks, like the Cooper's hawk, often hunt smaller birds.
• Eagles: Large and mighty, eagles can catch a variety of prey. Some eagles, like the bald eagle, will hunt water birds.
• Falcons: Falcons are incredibly fast flyers. The peregrine falcon, for example, is famous for its incredible speed when diving to catch birds in mid-air.
• Owls: Many types of owls are also avivores. They hunt silently at night, using their excellent hearing and night vision to catch birds while they roost.

How Avian Avivores Hunt

Avian avivores use different strategies to catch their prey:

• Ambush hunting: Some birds wait hidden in trees and then quickly pounce on an unsuspecting bird.
• Aerial pursuit: Fast-flying falcons chase birds in the air, using their speed and agility to catch them.
• Perch hunting: Many birds of prey sit on a high perch, like a tree branch or pole, and watch for birds below. Once they spot one, they swoop down to catch it.

Other Animals That Eat Birds

While many avivores are birds, other types of animals also eat birds as a main part of their diet.

• Mammals: Some mammals, like cats, foxes, and weasels, are known to hunt birds, especially young birds or those nesting on the ground.
• Reptiles: Certain snakes, especially those that climb trees, will eat bird eggs and chicks from nests.

Related pages

• Bird
• Bird of prey

Images for kids

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  American kestrel eating bird.