Kelly asked:
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Does the term "raptor" generally include owls?
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Raptors are the birds of prey with seizing talons such as
hawks, owls, eagles and falcons. From the root word
rapere (Latin): "to seize." Birds of prey without the talons,
such as shrikes, are not called raptors.

However, there is a fuzzy borderline. Vultures have
been classed with raptors for a long time, despite
lacking the proper footgear. New evidence shows
them more closely related to storks.

Chris Maack
Anchorage, AK
CMaack at compuserve.com