Raptor Identification

JCOS Raptor Protection

Number of volunteers: 32

Total volunteer observation hours: 708

Number of nests monitored in 2018: 56

Species monitored include: Golden eagle, prairie falcon, peregrine falcon, great horned owl, Swainson’s hawk, red-tailed hawk, cooper’s hawk What is a raptor? Usually people answer this question with:

A bird that eats other animals. What is a raptor? And here is another common answer… What is a raptor?

Some birds look a lot like raptors, but are not. What is a raptor?

Some birds act a lot like raptors, but are not.

Audubon Guide to North American Birds What is a raptor?

A raptor is a diurnal bird that eats other animals using specialized tools. What is a raptor? Raptors are a “gateway” species.

Easy to see

Engaging to watch

Offer insight into the health of an ecosystem Nature Hates Competition:

Habitat? Behavior? Flight pattern? Wing pattern? Raptor ID challenges:

Color morphs

Juvenile vs. adult plumage

Sexual dimorphism

Perching raptors offer scant ID info compared to raptors in flight Main Raptor Groups:

Eagles Accipiters Buteos Falcons Raptors: Eagles Raptors: Eagles White head

Bald Eagle Massive, yellow bill

White tail Yellow talons Raptors: Eagles No white head

Massive bill (but Juvenile Bald Eagle not yellow)

White feathers scattered through the breast and wings

Yellow talons Raptors: Eagles Golden Eagle

Golden head

Massive bill

Some white in tail and wings in juvenile. Raptors: Accipiters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td8bmr-6AHs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CFckjfP-1E Dark gray cap Raptors: Accipiters Red eyes Cooper’s Hawk

Rusty bands

Long, banded tail

Carolina Bird Club Raptors: Accipiters

Yellow eyes Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk Blunt, rounded wings

Dark streaks

Shoulders straight in flight

Long, banded tail Dark gray cap Raptors: Accipiters

Red eyes

Rusty bands

Sharp-shinned Hawk Raptors: Accipiters Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk Blunt, rounded wings

Shrugged wings in flight

Dark streaks

Long, banded tail Raptors: Buteos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KwsGWVXCPM Raptors: Buteos Dark “comma” Red-tailed Hawk on wing

Dark leading edge on wings

Belly band Raptors: Buteos Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk

Belly band

banded tail HollandWest Raptors: Buteos Dark bib Light leading edge Swainson’s Hawk of wing

Dark trailing edge of wing

Houston Audubon Raptors: Falcons Raptors: Falcons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxIVjI8HDAo

Dark malar American stripes

Kestrel Blue cap, wings; rusty back

Pointed wings Raptors: Falcons Dark malar stripes

Falcons: pointed wings and rapid wing beats

Peregrine Prairie Falcon Falcon

Dirty armpits Raptors: Harrier

White rump band

Flight is low and wobbly Raptors: Osprey

Dark eye band

Dark wrist patch Are you ready for a quiz? Sharp-shinned Hawk American Kestrel Red-tailed Hawk Adult Bald Eagle Juvenile Bald Eagle Swainson’s Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Northern Harrier Swainson’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk Juvenile Bald Eagle Swainson’s Hawk