During which conditions do captive raptors require more food per day?

Captive raptors require more food per day during hard flying, moulting, and cold weather due to the increased energy demands associated with these activities and conditions.

When raptors engage in hard flying, they expend a significant amount of energy that requires them to replenish their caloric intake to maintain their strength and muscle mass. Similarly, during the moulting process, raptors undergo a natural cycle of feather replacement, which can be physically taxing. The energy required for feather regrowth means that additional food is necessary to support this process.

Cold weather also plays a critical role, as raptors expend more energy to maintain their body temperature in colder environments. This thermoregulation leads to increased caloric needs, as their metabolism must work harder to keep them warm.

Together, these factors create conditions where raptors must consume more food than they typically would under less demanding scenarios.