--- title: Discover the Raptors of Canaveral National Seashore | Viking EcoTours description: Discover the impressive world of raptors, or birds of prey, in Canaveral National Seashore. Learn about their hunting techniques, & ecological importance. image: https://vikingecotours.com/hubfs/DSC_5086-Enhanced-NR-1.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories/raptors#main-content) Close - [Home](https://vikingecotours.com) - [About](https://vikingecotours.com/about) - [Viking EcoTours](https://vikingecotours.com/about) - [Our Pedal Kayaks](https://vikingecotours.com/en-us/why-pedal-kayaks) - [All Kayak Tours](https://vikingecotours.com/all-kayak-tours-new-smyrna-beach) - [Morning Kayak Tours | New Smyrna Beach](https://vikingecotours.com/morning-kayak-tours-new-smyrna-beach) - [Sunset Kayak Tours | New Smyrna Beach](https://vikingecotours.com/en-us/sunset-kayak-tours-in-new-smyrna-beach-viking-ecotours) - [Bioluminescence Kayak Tours | New Smyrna Beach](https://vikingecotours.com/en-us/bioluminescent-kayak-tours/) - [Articles & Info](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories) - [Contact](https://vikingecotours.com/contact-us) - [Contact Us](https://vikingecotours.com/contact-us) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://vikingecotours.com/frequently-asked-questions) SEARCH CONTACT PHONE HOTLINE: [(386) 888-1552](tel:(386)%20888-1552) E-MAIL: [info@vikingecotours.com](mailto:info@vikingecotours.com) [Book Now](https://www.vikingecotours.com/tours/) [![logo](https://vikingecotours.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VikingEcoTours_Logo_Revised.7.76kb-1.png?width=90&height=90&name=VikingEcoTours_Logo_Revised.7.76kb-1.png "logo")](https://www.vikingecotours.com/) [![VikingEcoTours\_Logo\_Revised\_Horiz\_4C](https://vikingecotours.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VikingEcoTours_Logo_Revised_Horiz_4C.png?width=150&height=75&name=VikingEcoTours_Logo_Revised_Horiz_4C.png)](https://www.vikingecotours.com/) - [Home](https://vikingecotours.com) - [About](https://vikingecotours.com/about) - [Viking EcoTours](https://vikingecotours.com/about) - [Our Pedal Kayaks](https://vikingecotours.com/en-us/why-pedal-kayaks) - [All Kayak Tours](https://vikingecotours.com/all-kayak-tours-new-smyrna-beach) - [Morning Kayak Tours | New Smyrna Beach](https://vikingecotours.com/morning-kayak-tours-new-smyrna-beach) - [Sunset Kayak Tours | New Smyrna Beach](https://vikingecotours.com/en-us/sunset-kayak-tours-in-new-smyrna-beach-viking-ecotours) - [Bioluminescence Kayak Tours | New Smyrna Beach](https://vikingecotours.com/en-us/bioluminescent-kayak-tours/) - [Articles & Info](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories) - [Contact](https://vikingecotours.com/contact-us) - [Contact Us](https://vikingecotours.com/contact-us) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://vikingecotours.com/frequently-asked-questions) PHONE HOTLINE: [(386) 888-1552](tel:(386)%20888-1552) E-MAIL: [info@vikingecotours.com](mailto:info@vikingecotours.com) [Book Now](https://www.vikingecotours.com/tours/) ![DSC\_5086-Enhanced-NR-1](https://vikingecotours.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC_5086-Enhanced-NR-1.jpg?width=575&name=DSC_5086-Enhanced-NR-1.jpg) [Viking Ecotours](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories/author/viking-ecotours) Dec 19, 2023, 2:17:55 PM 24 min read # Discover the Raptors of Canaveral National Seashore | Viking EcoTours [Previous Post](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories/mangroves-in-canaveral-national-seashore) [Next Post](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories/experience-playalindas-white-sandy-beaches) ##### Raptors are Birds of Prey ## What are Raptors? **Raptors, also known as birds of prey, are a group of carnivorous birds that includes eagles, hawks, harriers, falcons, kites, vultures, osprey, and owls.** These birds include some of the most impressive animals in **Canaveral National Seashore** and Florida. They include the bald eagle, the United States National Bird, and several endangered species. Raptors are a diverse group of carnivorous birds and feed on a variety of animals, including fish, small mammals, reptiles, insects, and other birds. Birds of prey are well known for speed, strength, and keen senses like hearing and eye sight. Their curved beaks and sharp talons are used to catch prey, scavenge, build nests, and defend themselves.  Migrating and resident raptors can be watched and photographed throughout the year in Canaveral National Seashore. [![Osprey with a catfish during a guided kayak tour through Canaveral National Seashore and Mosquito Lagoon. These are the most common raptors Viking EcoTours sees on guided kayak tours.](https://vikingecotours.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_7331-Enhanced-1.jpg?width=2048&height=1367&name=DSC_7331-Enhanced-1.jpg)](https://vikingecotours.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_7331-Enhanced-1.jpg) Osprey with a catfish seen during a guided kayak tour through Canaveral National Seashore and Mosquito Lagoon ## Birds of Prey **Birds of prey** hunt, scavenge, and feed on other animals. They are characterized by keen vision that allows them to spot their prey from a distance, and sharp talons and curved beaks that they use to kill and tear their prey into small pieces that they can swallow. **Raptors** play important roles in their ecosystems by removing dead, old, weak, and sick animals from the environment. Raptors also limit the spread of disease in the environment by eating dead and sick animals. They are sensitive to environmental changes and chemicals in the environment so they are often considered indicators of the health of an ecosystem. ### Birds of Prey in Canaveral National Seashore There are several species of **raptors** that can be found in the **Canaveral National Seashore**, which is a National Park located on the east coast of Florida. Some of the species that you might see there include burrowing owls, osprey, bald eagles, Cooper’s hawks, and peregrine falcons. All of these birds are skilled hunters and scavengers that feed on a variety of prey, including fish, rodents, insects, and other birds. The National Seashore is home to a diverse array of wildlife and provides important habitat for thousands of species. More than 310 bird species can be found in Canaveral too. It is a popular destination for birdwatching, hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. Florida’s Atlantic coast has huge parks & forests, ADA compliant paths, wildlife drives, & guided tours that make bird watching and photography easy for experts and beginners. **Canaveral National Seashore** & Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge are local hotspots for birding and wildlife photography. ### Bald Eagle [![Bald eagle flying over Canaveral National Seashore during a guided kayaking tour. These birds of prey are some of the largest raptors we see in the National Park.](https://vikingecotours.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_1481-Enhanced-scaled-1.jpg?width=2560&height=1708&name=DSC_1481-Enhanced-scaled-1.jpg)](https://vikingecotours.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_1481-Enhanced-scaled-1.jpg) Bald Eagle flying over Canaveral National Seashore. ### Osprey [![Osprey soaring over Canaveral National Seashore. These raptors, also known as birds of prey, have sharp barbed talons, curved beaks, and large powerful wings.](https://vikingecotours.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/dsc_6838-Enhanced-1.jpg?width=2048&height=1367&name=dsc_6838-Enhanced-1.jpg)](https://vikingecotours.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/dsc_6838-Enhanced-1.jpg) Osprey soaring over Canaveral National Seashore. These raptors, also known as birds of prey, have sharp barbed talons, curved beaks, and large powerful wings. ### Swallow-tailed Kite [![Swallow-tailed kite, a raptor, soaring over Canaveral National Seashore during a guided kayak tour.](https://vikingecotours.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_6235-Enhanced-1.jpg?width=2048&height=1367&name=DSC_6235-Enhanced-1.jpg)](https://vikingecotours.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSC_6235-Enhanced-1.jpg) Swallow-tailed kite, a raptor, soaring over Canaveral National Seashore. ## Other Birds ![Great blue heron, a shorebird, in Canaveral National Seashore](https://vikingecotours.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/dsc_5443-Enhanced-Nov-02-2023-12-31-24-8715-AM.jpg?width=2048&height=1367&name=dsc_5443-Enhanced-Nov-02-2023-12-31-24-8715-AM.jpg) ### Shorebirds **Shorebirds** can be found along the shorelines and wetlands of Canaveral National Seashore. Many shorebirds species are prey for **raptors like the Cooper’s Hawk.** [Learn More](https://www.vikingecotours.com/shorebirds/) #### [Viking Ecotours](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories/author/viking-ecotours) ## RELATED ARTICLES Button Title ### [Viking Ecotours Dec 19, 2023, 11:55:15 AM 36 min read Florida Scrub-Jays: The Sunshine State’s Only Endemic Bird The Fascinating World of Florida Scrub-Jays Dive in and learn about Florida's Feathered Residents The Florida scrub-jay, a ... Start Reading](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories/florida-scrub-jay) ### [Eric Hansen Dec 19, 2023, 11:37:34 AM 38 min read Explore Playalinda Beach A Comprehensive Guide to Playalinda Beach at Canaveral National Seashore Discover Florida's Natural Retreat: Playalinda Beach ... 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Start Reading](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories/haulover-canal) ![Asset 1-1](https://vikingecotours.com/hubfs/Asset%201-1.svg "Asset 1-1") [![VikingEcoTours\_Logo\_Revised\_Horiz\_4C](https://vikingecotours.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VikingEcoTours_Logo_Revised_Horiz_4C.png?width=240&height=120&name=VikingEcoTours_Logo_Revised_Horiz_4C.png)](https://www.vikingecotours.com/) Explore New Smyrna's Canaveral National Seashore with Viking Ecotours: Fishing, Bioluminescence, Birding, Manatees, Dolphins, and More Adventures Await! - [Home](https://vikingecotours.com) - [About](https://vikingecotours.com/about) - [Viking EcoTours](https://vikingecotours.com/about) - [Our Pedal Kayaks](https://vikingecotours.com/en-us/why-pedal-kayaks) - [All Kayak Tours](https://vikingecotours.com/all-kayak-tours-new-smyrna-beach) - [Morning Kayak Tours | New Smyrna Beach](https://vikingecotours.com/morning-kayak-tours-new-smyrna-beach) - [Sunset Kayak Tours | New Smyrna Beach](https://vikingecotours.com/en-us/sunset-kayak-tours-in-new-smyrna-beach-viking-ecotours) - [Bioluminescence Kayak Tours | New Smyrna Beach](https://vikingecotours.com/en-us/bioluminescent-kayak-tours/) - [Articles & Info](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories) - [Contact](https://vikingecotours.com/contact-us) - [Contact Us](https://vikingecotours.com/contact-us) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://vikingecotours.com/frequently-asked-questions) All rights reserved - [Home](https://vikingecotours.com) - [About](https://vikingecotours.com/about) - [All Kayak Tours](https://vikingecotours.com/all-kayak-tours-new-smyrna-beach) - [Articles & Info](https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories) - [Contact](https://vikingecotours.com/contact-us) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "United States", "addressLocality" : "Oak Hill", "addressRegion" : "FL", "postalCode" : "32759", "streetAddress" : "250 H H Burch Rd" }, "email" : "info@vikingecotours.com", "knowsLanguage" : "en-us", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://21164450.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21164450/VikingEcoTours_Logo_Revised.7.76kb-1.png" }, "name" : "Viking EcoTours LLC", "telephone" : "(386) 888-1552", "url" : "https://vikingecotours.com/videos-stories/raptors" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "abstract" : "Discover the impressive world of raptors, or birds of prey, in Canaveral National Seashore. Learn about their hunting techniques, & ecological importance.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Viking Ecotours" }, "dateModified" : "December 19, 2023 7 PM", "datePublished" : "December 19, 2023 7 PM", "headline" : "Discover the Raptors of Canaveral National Seashore | Viking EcoTours", "image" : "https://21164450.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21164450/DSC_5086-Enhanced-NR-1.jpg", "inLanguage" : "en-us", "keywords" : "[birds of prey, bird watching, Canaveral National Seashore, Wildlife, bald eagles, Nature]", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "Discover the Raptors of Canaveral National Seashore | Viking EcoTours", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://21164450.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21164450/VikingEcoTours_Logo_Revised.7.76kb-1.png" }, "name" : "Viking EcoTours LLC" }, "text" : "Raptors are Birds of Prey What are Raptors? Raptors, also known as birds of prey, are a group of carnivorous birds that includes eagles, hawks, harriers, falcons, kites, vultures, osprey, and owls. These birds include some of the most impressive animals in Canaveral National Seashore and Florida. They include the bald eagle, the United States National Bird, and several endangered species. Raptors are a diverse group of carnivorous birds and feed on a variety of animals, including fish, small mammals, reptiles, insects, and other birds. Birds of prey are well known for speed, strength, and keen senses like hearing and eye sight. Their curved beaks and sharp talons are used to catch prey, scavenge, build nests, and defend themselves. Migrating and resident raptors can be watched and photographed throughout the year in Canaveral National Seashore. Osprey with a catfish seen during a guided kayak tour through Canaveral National Seashore and Mosquito Lagoon Birds of Prey Birds of prey hunt, scavenge, and feed on other animals. They are characterized by keen vision that allows them to spot their prey from a distance, and sharp talons and curved beaks that they use to kill and tear their prey into small pieces that they can swallow. Raptors play important roles in their ecosystems by removing dead, old, weak, and sick animals from the environment. Raptors also limit the spread of disease in the environment by eating dead and sick animals. They are sensitive to environmental changes and chemicals in the environment so they are often considered indicators of the health of an ecosystem. Birds of Prey in Canaveral National Seashore There are several species of raptors that can be found in the Canaveral National Seashore, which is a National Park located on the east coast of Florida. Some of the species that you might see there include burrowing owls, osprey, bald eagles, Cooper’s hawks, and peregrine falcons. All of these birds are skilled hunters and scavengers that feed on a variety of prey, including fish, rodents, insects, and other birds. The National Seashore is home to a diverse array of wildlife and provides important habitat for thousands of species. More than 310 bird species can be found in Canaveral too. It is a popular destination for birdwatching, hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. Florida’s Atlantic coast has huge parks & forests, ADA compliant paths, wildlife drives, & guided tours that make bird watching and photography easy for experts and beginners. Canaveral National Seashore & Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge are local hotspots for birding and wildlife photography. Bald Eagle Bald Eagle flying over Canaveral National Seashore. Osprey Osprey soaring over Canaveral National Seashore. These raptors, also known as birds of prey, have sharp barbed talons, curved beaks, and large powerful wings. Swallow-tailed Kite Swallow-tailed kite, a raptor, soaring over Canaveral National Seashore. Other Birds Shorebirds Shorebirds can be found along the shorelines and wetlands of Canaveral National Seashore. Many shorebirds species are prey for raptors like the Cooper’s Hawk. 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