Below are some common words and terms associated with eagles and their relatives. Bird of prey or raptor - Any bird, including eagles, hawks, owls, ospreys and falcons, with hooked beaks and talons adapted for holding and tearing flesh from other species. Most birds of prey hunt for live prey, though some, including vultures, will eat carrion as well. Cere - The waxy, fleshy location of the nostrils, near the base of the upper jaw. Some species, including ospreys, automatically close the cere when entering water. Diurnal (adjective) - Active by day, as opposed to nocturnal, or active by night. Eagles are diurnal; their eyesight is spectacular in daylight, but not much better than man's at night. Eaglet - A young eagle. Birds of prey are also known as eyasses while still living in their hatching nest. Eaglets big enough to leave the nest but too young to fly are known as branchers. Ecosystem - A system created through the interaction of a variety of species within their environment. Some species may depend on others for food, while others might co-exist peacefully. Fledge (verb) - To acquire the feathers necessary to fly. Fledglings - Young birds that have fledged and are capable of flight. Once eagles fledge, they soon become responsible for catching prey and feeding themselves. Habitat - The natural environment of a given species. Habitat loss can lead to the loss of species living in or dependent for prey from that habitat. Migration - A periodic move from one region to another. Many birds migrate in spring and fall. Bald eagles "migrate" only as far as they must to find open water. They are hearty birds, capable of enduring harsh weather conditions, but since fish play such an important role in their diet, open water is critical. Predator - Any species that exists by eating, or preying upon, other species. Eagles are predators, but eaglets and eagle eggs can also be prey for other species, including raccoons, crows, horned owls, bobcats and brown bears. Predation - The relationship between two species in which one preys on the other for food. For example, eagles prey on fish. Primaries - The large, lift-giving feathers found at the end of the wing. Bald eagles' primary feathers are notched at the end. Spicules - Sharp, pricker-like spikes on the underside of the foot of eagles and ospreys, which help the birds get a firm grasp on slippery fish. Talon - The curved claw of a bird of prey. Wingspan - The measure from tip to tip of the outstretched wings of a bird. Bald eagles have wingspans up to 7 feet. There are several fun things to do in this section. Follow the links below and HAVE FUN! Coloring book Puzzle Quiz Eagle word find Glossary of terms Terms of Use - Copyright 2009 Central Vermont Public Service Copyright photos CVPS, Floyd Scholz U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife Web related issues