Raptor originates from the Latin "rapere" meaning "to seize" or "to carry off". Raptors, or birds of prey in Vietnam discussed in this articles are eagles, hawks, falcons, and esprey. This is to assist birdwatchers or twitchers to Vietnam to quickly identify these birds in the wild.

All these birds have great vision, wing shapes and talons adapted for their lifestyle and hunting style. All these are diurnal birds. Owls are raptors which are discussed in another of our Vietnam birding guide.

1/ Accipitriformes
 a/ Eagles: Powerful, large, broad wings, powerful talons: large preys.

 b/ Hawks: Medium-sized, broad rounded-wings or short-rounded wings, long tails, sleek and pointed head: flashes through forest.
 - Kite: often forked tail.
 - Harrier Slender long-winged hawk which glide low over marshes and grassland to hunt, slender tail.
 - Buzzard: broad-winged hawks (buteos). 
 (The species discussed in this article refer to those in Vietnam, not those in the New World where the term means vulture.)
 - Goshawk: medium to large bird of prey (except for the Crested Goshawk): broad wings, a long, rounded tail, and a distinctive white stripe above their orange-red eyes. 
 - Sparrowhawk: small hawk.

 c/ Osprey: Unique fish-eating expert with reversible outer toe and barbed pads to hold slippery fish; hovers over water and dive feet-first to catch fish. White underparts, clear black line across the eye to the neck.

2/ Falconciformes
 a/ Falcons: Slender, pointed, long & sickle-shaped wings, long tail, clear "moustache" facial markings; short & rounded head; short beak with rounded and hooked tip; slender body.
 Strength point: speed, kill preys with curved bill & tomial tooth.

 b/ Hobby: small falcon;
 c/ Kestrel: small falcon;

Tips for field identification:
- Size;
- Wing shape;
- Tail length;
- Flight style;