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.