Larger birds of prey, such as eagles, hawks, and falcons are represented by more than 20 different species. They include two kinds of eagles still found today in North America, the Golden Eagle and the Bald Eagle, as well as several extinct species such as Woodward's Eagle and Grinnell's Crested Eagle. These extinct eagles have living relatives that are found only in Central and South America.

Other types of birds were also recovered from Rancho La Brea. Condors and vultures were carrion feeders and direct ancestors of those still native to North America such as the endangered California Condor.

One of the most extraordinary birds found at Rancho La Brea belongs to the extinct type of birds known as teratorns. Over 100 individuals of one of these species, Merriam's Teratorn, have been discovered. These birds have a skeletal structure similar to condors. However, modern research has indicated that these birds were active predators that stalked their prey on the ground, not in the air like other birds of prey, or by feeding on carrion like condors.