Just imagine being able to fly, to soar at high altitude, and then see everything below with eyes capable of wide-angle and zoom lenses.

Marty says,

"Their piercing eyes, sharp beaks and strong talons are part of a noble power that has inspired man through the ages.

These aerial hunters come in all sizes, and they populate nearly every habitat."

Man is the only true enemy of birds of prey, absolute aristocrats of the air, and hawks, kites, falcons, owls and eagles are dramatic examples of highly refined killers in the sky. Watching them above seems to be in slow motion...until they select a target...and then dive like sleek fighter-planes to attack. It is an awesome display of maneuverability and command of their unchallanged domain.

Each species seems to have adapted to its own special needs. "The goshawk," Marty advises, "relies on short wings and a long tail to maneuver around tree trunks and between branches. Filming them is difficult because of their darting speed. Watching them hunt is exciting, and they are born killers who know what they're doing in the wilderness to survive.

"All birds of prey have basic instincts of hunting and feeding. They are armed with large, bright and specialized eyes with three sets of eyelids for protection. Also, hooked upper beaks and razor-sharp edges for ripping and tearing, and deadly talons, sometimes as large as claws on a grizzly, are their tools."

Specialized? Northern shrike feed primarily on insects, but occasionally dine on frogs, and sometimes impale game on thorns for easier 'carving' in the wilderness. The shrike can spot a bumblebee a hundred yards away. An osprey, a large bird, eats only fish, and the birds can soar or hover. The swallow-tail kites eat, drink and mate on the fly. Peregrine falcons, with narrow, pointed wings dive at unbelievable speeds.

Best-known of all birds of prey are the golden eagles. We regard them as champions of the air, symbols of nations and the image of freedom. A well-developed adult eagle is capable of killing a lamb or small pronghorn antelope. That's power from the sky, and we admire their grace, beauty and strength.

Birds of prey are true predators designed for killing to survive in a special realm of the wilderness. Their dramaatic contribution helps maintain a necessary balance of nature.

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