Birds of Prey

There are 34 species of birds of prey recorded in British Columbia. Of these, 19 species are hawks and 15 species are owls. Birds of prey are also known as raptors and are named as such because of their diet. Unlike most birds, which typically feed on insects, seeds, vegetation, or fish, birds of prey feed on warm-blooded animals, whether they are small mammals freshly caught or larger mammals that were killed by another predator. Therefore, these birds often have large talons for grasping prey and hooked beaks for tearing their food.

According to the Migratory Birds Regulations Act of 1994, in Article II Section 1 of the Schedule, no hunting shall occur on migratory game birds between 10 March and 1 September. According to the Wildlife Act, in Section 34, no person unless exempt by regulation may possess, take, molest, injure, or destroy: a bird or its egg; the nest of an eagle, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, osprey, heron or burrowing owl; or the nest of any other bird when it is occupied by the bird or an egg.

Of the pool of priority species that have suitable habitat in the Plan area, the species included in this section were chosen according to the following five guidelines:

  1. Is the species at risk or threatened?
  2. Is the species an invasive species?
    • Is this an introduced species that is causing significant damage to the population numbers of indigenous species that are important to ecological balance within the Sub Region?
  3. Is the species of historical or cultural significance?
  4. Is the species of economic importance?
    • Does the presence of this species contribute significantly to the economy of the Sub Region?
  5. Is the species of ecological importance?
    • Is there significant dependence upon this animal by other species or for the maintenance of ecological balance?
Selected Species Criteria
Golden Eagle Historical/cultural importance
Bald Eagle Economic importance
Osprey Economic importance
Northern Spotted Owl At risk/threatened
Turkey Vulture Invasive / At risk/threatened