I believe the term RAPTOR applies to those birds which seize its prey with
talons. According to William Mansell in the book North American Birds of
Prey, this method is employed by about 4.5 percent of the world's birds,
roughly 281 species (vultures, buzzards, eagles, kites, ospreys, falcons,
hawks, and owls). He makes a point to say that 'bird of prey' can be
broadly applied to just about any bird, as most birds participate in the
act of predation (worms, insects, etc.) from time to time, even the most
confirmed seed eater.

Anyone else have a different definition of RAPTOR?

Andy Sorensen
Anchorage, Alaska
ajstudio at ptialaska.net