Well yesterday I went to a Birds of prey demo and tried some in flight shots and lets jsut say my framing was great but my focusing needs some help. I was wondering for those that shoot BIFs if they would share some techniques and tips/settings.

1. Fastest lens you can get your hands on (both in light and focusing so you are looking at USM and f2.8 as a benchmark)
2. AI Servo on at least a 15 point AF for your body
3. A nice bright day.

That is pretty much all i can deduce from doing it once on a cloudy day with a 9-point af system with an effective f/5.6 lens... (f/2.8 on a 2x TC)

Rich, when you shot where you using the center focus point or all points? I have the lens 70-200 2.8 and the focus points covered 45points there.

I use a Nikon D70 and have a 70-300mm lens that follows them birds and keeps them in great focus 99% of the time.  I had a different brand that didn't do nearly as well.  mine is 1:4-5.6
if this helps.  What camera do you use?
 

1D Mark III with a 70-200 2.8L on the front of it.

The body should track the object throughout all of the AF points after you have locked it on the central focus point.  Check your manual and read the small print on AI Servo :)

Also - you may be a bit far away with 200mm for the "object" to register well enough to track...