Birds of prey abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?

What are birds of prey?

• The term "bird of prey" is roughly used for all birds that eat other vertebrates. Insectivorous birds are usually not considered birds of prey.
• The many different birds of prey do not form a genetic family, and within families with many birds of prey, there are often a few that have started eating only insects or, for example, snails.
• The best-known groups of birds of prey are falcons, vultures, eagles, condors, and owls.

Where is the best place to see birds of prey in the wild abroad?

• Birds of prey usually live alone or as a pair. If you want to see large numbers of birds of prey, the migration period is recommended.
• Georgia: Near Batumi, thousands of birds of prey can be seen from viewpoints in the autumn.
• Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, USA: during the period from September to November, combine a view of the famous bridge with hundreds of birds of prey soaring past.
• Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India: hotspot for migrating (water)birds from Northern Europe and Siberia, and the many birds of prey follow their food
• Peru: Andean condor. Near the Colca Canyon, you can see condors taking off on the warming air in sunny weather.
• African savanna: carcasses attract scavenging birds of prey, such as various species of vultures.

Are birds of prey dangerous?

• Humans are not prey for birds of prey, so you really don't have much to fear
• Vultures sometimes look terrifying, but they only eat dead animals. In Tibet, vultures are a part of so-called 'sky burials', where the dead are offered to the birds in the mountains as a funeral ritual.
• Most birds of prey protect their nests and young with great passion. When you approach a nesting site, whether intentionally or unintentionally, you can sustain significant injuries from the birds' beaks and talons.
• In most cases, a bird will warn you first, for example by calling out or flying closely over your head.

Where can you do volunteer work or an internship with birds of prey?

• Bali, Indonesia: with the osprey or sea eagle
• Namibia: with vultures
• South Africa: with eagles, vultures, and owls (in Cape Town or Drakensberg)
• Worldwide, you can assist in population research, mapping the animals or specifically birds of prey within a certain area.