Birds of prey have long fascinated us, with their fierce hunting skills and almost regal presence. In Britain, these raptors are an iconic part of the landscape, from the wide-winged buzzard – now one of the country’s most widespread birds of prey – to the hovering kestrel.
But not all raptors are so easy to find, and catching a glimpse of one requires luck and patience.
- Birds of prey guide: how to identify UK raptors and where to see them
- Fierce, majestic and deadly: your ultimate guide to the world's biggest birds of prey
Through the images below, we gain a rare glimpse into their world – the ferocity of their hunts, swooping, striking and seizing their prey with lethal precision.
- It is the fastest animal in the world and can catch its prey mid-air in its deadly claws: Meet one of the world's most incredible birds of prey
- What's the most common bird of prey in the UK?
- It weighs as much as house cat, has a wingspan the size of an average door and can hit 100 miles per hour when hunting - that's one formidable predator
