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Raptors & Hawks of North America > Raptor & Hawk Overview > Flashcards

Raptor & Hawk Overview Flashcards

1
Q

What TWO cardinal rules can you apply to make raptor identification easier?

A
  1. Identify to which broad group it belongs first; and then narrow it down from there
  2. Find three or more clues; don’t fixate on any singular trait

BONUS: And in situations where you’re looking at a sky bustling with raptors (such as during migration), focus on identifying one bird at a time, rather than getting overwhelmed.

That said, raptors seldom gather together in large groups so you won’t often be faced with this kind of situation.

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2
Q

When observing raptors, we try to look for THREE clues to support an ID. What are the SEVEN “clue categories” in which this information can be found?

Actually, this tactic applies to identifying ANY bird in the field.

A
  1. Size
  2. Shape
  3. Color patterns
  4. Markings
  5. Behavior
  6. Habitat
  7. Calls
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3
Q

What are the THREE most important clues for identifying raptors?

A
  1. Shape
  2. Behavior
  3. Habitat

It’s not that size, markings, patterns, or calls are not important; they too provide valuable clues. But shape, behavior, and habitat convey the MOST information within the shortest amount of time, allowing us to very quickly discern the sub-group to which a raptor belongs. From there, it is a matter of deciding between a few species, rather than a few dozen species.

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4
Q

What are the SEVEN sub-groups of raptors in North America?

A
  1. Vultures
  2. Eagles
  3. Buteos
  4. Accipiters
  5. Kites
  6. Falcons
  7. “The Misfits”

These sub-groups aren’t strictly divided along lines of taxonomy (relation). Rather, they have been arranged according to shape.

The shape of a bird is one of the first things you notice about it, which will help you quickly discern into which subgroup it belongs. Once you know a raptor’s subgroup, your choice becomes narrowed down to just a handful of birds, as opposed to the many dozens found in North America.

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5
Q

What are the THREE species of vultures found in North America?

A
  1. Black Vulture
  2. Turkey Vulture
  3. California Condor
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6
Q

What are the FIVE SHAPE characteristics of the vulture subgroup?

A
  1. Large birds,
  2. Very broad, very long wings built for soaring,
  3. Mostly shortish tails,
  4. Prominent primary feathers that extend like “fingers” out from the wings,
  5. A head that appears small in flight due to lack of feathers.
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7
Q

What is meant by the term “fingers” in raptor anatomy?

A

The elongated primary feathers that extend from the end of the wing.

Also called “emarginated primaries”

The “fingers” allow air to pass through the end of the wings, which adds extra lift to their flight, while reducing drag. This is important for large, heavy raptors that spend a lot of time in the air soaring, searching for food, like vultures and eagles.

You can consider emarginated primaries as a unique flight optimization that reduces the effort it takes to soar, thereby allowing raptors to conserve energy.

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8
Q

What are the THREE species of eagles found in North America?

A
  1. Bald Eagle
  2. Golden Eagle
  3. Osprey

These three raptors are not actually very closely related but they do share similar shape characteristics.

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9
Q

What are the FIVE SHAPE characteristics of the eagle subgroup?

A
  1. Very large birds,
  2. Very large wings built for soaring,
  3. Moderately long tail,
  4. Prominent “fingers”,
  5. More prominent head in flight silhouette.
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10
Q

What does the term buteo mean?

A

Buteo is a genus of medium to fairly large raptors with a robust body and broad wings.

Examples include Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, and Ferruginous Hawk.

Elsewhere in the world, they may be referred to as “buzzards”.

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11
Q

How many species of buteo are there in North America?

A

Technically, there are 9 species of buteo genus in North America. However, within the buteo subgroup, which is organized according to shape similarities rather than genus, we say that there are 12 species.

Remember, the buteo subgroup has been compiled for the purpose of simplifying identification: by lumping together birds based on their similar shape characteristics.

So, for example, while White-tailed Hawk belong to a different genus altogether (Geranoaetus), they have a typical buteo shape and so they have been included in this subgroup.

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12
Q

What are the NINE species of buteos found in North America?

A
  1. Red-tailed Hawk
  2. Red-shouldered Hawk
  3. Swainson’s Hawk
  4. Gray Hawk
  5. Ferruginous Hawk
  6. Broad-winged Hawk
  7. Rough-legged Hawk
  8. Short-tailed Hawk
  9. Zone-tailed Hawk

White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus), Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo), and Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus) are included in the Buteo subgroup but, in fact, belong to other genuses.

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13
Q

What are the FIVE key SHAPE characteristics of the buteo subgroup?

A
  1. Fairly large, chunky raptors, smaller than eagles,
  2. Broad, wide wings,
  3. Moderately long primary “fingers”,
  4. Relatively short, square tails,
  5. Overall “broad and burly” silhouette.

The hallmark characteristic of the buteos is that they are chunky, broad, and burly-looking raptors.

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14
Q

What is an accipiter?

A

A genus of forest-dwelling “bird hawks” that are built for the close-quarters ambush, dash-and-catch strategy of mostly bird prey.

They are in the family Accipitridae.

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15
Q

What are the THREE species of accipiters found in North America?

A
  1. Sharp-shinned Hawk
  2. Cooper’s Hawk
  3. Northern Goshawk

There are 49 species of accipiters in the world.

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16
Q

What are the FOUR key SHAPE characteristics of the accipiter subgroup?

A
  1. Small- to medium-sized raptors, mostly on the medium-sized end of the size spectrum,
  2. Short, broad wings,
  3. Short “fingers” in the wings,
  4. Very long tail noticable in flight silhouette.

These shape characteristics have evolved to optimize these raptors’ maneuverability through forested environments.

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17
Q

What are the SIX species of falcons found in North America?

A
  1. Prairie Falcon
  2. Peregrine Falcon
  3. Gyrfalcon
  4. American Kestrel
  5. Aplomado Kestrel
  6. Merlin

Athough falcons are obviously raptors—with their hooked bills and carnivorous diets—they’re actually more closely related to parrots than they are to other raptors!

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18
Q

What shape characteristic enables falcons to fly really fast?

The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest living creature on Earth, with flight speeds of more than 300 km (186 miles) per hour!

A

Long, pointed wings with narrow wingtips.

These wings are built for speed. Their long, narrow shape and tapered tips allow falcons to slice through the air with minimal drag, optimizing their speed for the chase.

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19
Q

What are the FOUR SHAPE characteristics of the falcon subgroup?

A
  1. Small- to medium-sized raptors mostly on the smaller end of the size spectrum,
  2. Long, pointed wings with narrow wingtips,
  3. No “fingers” in the wings,
  4. Long tails.
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20
Q

What are the FIVE species of kites found in North America?

A
  1. Mississippi Kite
  2. Swallow-tailed Kite
  3. White-tailed Kite
  4. Hook-billed Kite
  5. Snail Kite

Seeing as though we are counting all of the kite species in North America, we’ve include the Hook-billed and Snail Kite here. However, when talking about the kite subgroup, we omit the latter two species because they are built very differently to the typical kite species. Instead, they get their own subgroup—”The Misfits”—which we’ll touch on later in this deck.

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21
Q

What are the FIVE key SHAPE characteristics of the kite subgroup?

A
  1. Medium-sized raptors,
  2. Long, slender and pointed wings for gliding (very falcon-like),
  3. Wings are often bent in the middle,
  4. Not much “fingering” at wing tips,
  5. Relatively long tails.

Kites are built quite similarly to falcons but their overall shape is more elongated and graceful in appearance.

22
Q

Which of North America’s FOUR other raptor species don’t easily fit into any of the subgroups mentioned thus far and so are condensed into their own separate subgroup?

We’ll call this subgroup “The Misfits!”

A
  1. Hook-billed Kite
  2. Snail Kite
  3. Northern Harrier
  4. Crested Caracara

While “The Misfits” may not have other similarly-shaped brethren here in North America, they certainly do elsewhere in the world.

  • The first two listed here are the broad-winged kites (unlike their slim-winged cousins), which have restricted ranges in the North America.
  • The Northern Harrier is one of 16 species of harriers in the world so it might seem like a misfit in North America but it is a raptor that has a very recognizable shape and behavior.
  • Similarly, the Crested Caracara is one of 9 species of caracaras in Central and South America! In North America, however, it stands out as quite unique.
23
Q

How can you deduce the relative size of a raptor when there aren’t any other raptors around to compare it to?

A

Compare it to the size of a common “yardstick” bird, like an American Crow or Canada Goose.

An American Crow pesters a (much larger) juvenile American Bald Eagle

Photo from Wikipedia Commons

Most raptors are somewhere between the size of an American Crow and Canada Goose. A Cooper’s Hawk, for example, is about the same size as an American Crow (although females are larger).

Sharp-shinned Hawk, which look very similar to Cooper’s Hawk, are smaller than an American Crow; about the size of a Blue Jay. Understanding this fact will help you tell the difference between the two in the field, which illustrates the important role that relative size plays in raptor ID.

American Crow and Canada Geese are very common so even if there isn’t one in the field for direct comparison, chances are you’ll have a rough estimation of their size in your working memory.

24
Q

What FOUR key aspects of shape are most useful to note when you’re looking at a raptor?

A
  1. Wing shape
  2. Tail shape
  3. Proportions
  4. Perched silhouette

All raptors have short, hooked bills, strong wings, and moderately long legs. Wing and tail shape, on the other hand, show a lot of diversity between the raptor subgroups, which is why they provide helpful clues for identification.

The proportions—relationship between wing, body, head, and tail size and length—are also useful, as is the silhouette of the bird when perched on a power line or tree branch.

25
Q

What are SIX useful descriptors for wing shapes in raptors?

A
  1. Rounded
  2. Pointed
  3. Broad
  4. Narrow
  5. Short
  6. Long

  • Rounded looks somewhat like a hand; with 4-5 feathers extending out like fingers.
  • Pointed is where one feather clearly stands out as the longest.
  • Broad and narrow refer to the width of the wing from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing.
  • Short and long refer to the length of the wing from the proximal end (closest to the body) to the distal end of the wing (furthest from the body).
26
Q

What is the difference between emarginated and closed wings?

A
  • Emarginated wings are rounded, with clearly defined “fingers”.
  • Close wings are pointed, without clearly defined “fingers”.
27
Q

What caveat should you take stock of when assessing wing shape?

A

Wing shape can change quite dramatically depending on how the bird is flying.

For example, when a hawk flies fast, it bends its wings back and the previously visible rounded wing tips can appear more pointed.

28
Q

What are SIX useful descriptors for tail shapes in raptors?

A
  1. Long
  2. Short
  3. Notched
  4. Square
  5. Rounded
  6. Pointed

Just remember that, similar to wing shape, tail shape changes depending on whether the feathers are fanned out or not. When spread out, a Cooper’s Hawk’s tail appears rounded but when furled, it look more square.

29
Q

True or false?

A square tail can look rounded when fanned out.

A

True

30
Q

What do we mean when we discuss the proportions of a raptor?

A

The size relationship between the wings, body, and tail.

  • Red-tailed Hawk have moderately-long wings and short tails relative to their head and body.
  • Cooper’s Hawk have short wings and a long tail relative to their head and body.
  • American Bald Eagle have long wings and a short tail relative to their head and body.

By paying attention to raptors’ proportions, we visually capture clues that can help us narrow them down into their subgroups and perhaps even further into their species.

31
Q

Describe the size proportions of this Golden Eagle using the descriptors mentioned in earlier flashcards.

Photo by Giles Laurent

Divide your descriptors between the wing and tail shape characteristics.

A

The wings are very long, broad, and rounded with emarginated tips and the tail is short and rounded.

32
Q

Describe the size proportions of this American Kestrel

Photo by Charles J. Sharp

Divide your descriptors between the wing and tail shape characteristics.

A

The wings are long and narrow, with pointed tips and little emargination. The tail is long and notched.

33
Q

Describe the size proportions of this Northern Harrier

Photo by Wildreturn

Divide your descriptors between the wing and tail shape characteristics.

A

The wings are long and medium width. The emarginated tips are visible but much more pointed because the wing is bent back. The tail is long and notched.

34
Q

What do we mean when we discuss the posture of a raptor?

A

The way the bird holds itself when perched.

Most raptors perch in an upright position compared with other birds, which perch with their bodies at a 45 degree angle.

BUT there are some exceptions to this upright posture that can provide helpful clues for ID.

35
Q

Which TWO raptors don’t typically have an upright posture when perched?

A
  1. Osprey
  2. Turkey Vulture

These two birds perch with their bodies held at more of a 45 degree angle.

36
Q

When a raptor is perched, what important clue relating to wing and tail length should you look for?

A

The length of tail that sticks out from underneath the folded wings.

For example, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Merlin are two similarly-sized, similar-looking bird-eating hawks that can be difficult to tell apart, especially in flight.

When perched, however, the Sharp-shinned Hawk’s much shorter wings leave much of the long tail exposed, while the Merlin’s long wings cover most of the long tail, leaving only a short segment exposed. This clue can help you tell the two species apart.

37
Q

What TWO features of a raptor’s plumage can create patterns that are very important for identification?

A

The presence and location of white and dark (patches) on its body, such as the rump, wings, tail, and head.

The adult Bald Ealge is the most obvious expression of how white on a bird can help you make a confident ID. (It has a bold white head and tail.)

Another example of white providing useful clues for ID is the Northern Harrier, which has a white rump. Because they tend to fly low over marshes, this marker is often visible and obvious.

38
Q

Name the parts of the wing marked in color on this Red-tailed Hawk

Image credit: Susan T. Cook

A

The primary and secondary feathers make up a raptor’s flight feathers, while the underwing coverts and patagium make up a raptor’s wing linings.

Understanding the different parts of the wings will help you look for color patterns and markings, and have the vocabulary to distinguish between them when making an ID.

Ask yourself: What color are the flight feathers and what color are the wing linings? Are they the same throughout or do they contrast with each other? Etc.

39
Q

For each of the following raptors, specify the diagnostic dark marking(s) that can help you clinch their ID:
1. Prairie Falcon
2. Red-tailed Hawk
3. Rough-legged Hawk
4. White-tailed Kite
5. Ferruginous Hawk

A
  1. Prairie Falcon: Dark armpits or auxillaries, as they’re called. It’s the only North American raptor with this feature.
  2. Red-tailed Hawk: Dark patagial bar (leading edge to the wing) and belly band. The former is a diagnostic feature.
  3. Rough-legged Hawk: Dark belly, tail tip, and underwing covert patches, also known as “carpal marks”.
  4. White-tailed Kite: Dark carpal marks.
  5. Ferruginous Hawk: Dark C-shaped carpal marks and dark legs which contrast with the pale body, a unique feature.
40
Q

What is the most useful marking to look for when identifying a raptor?

A

Barring

Which can be on the tail (Cooper’s Hawk), chest (Red-shouldered Hawk), or wings (Peregrin Falcon).

41
Q

What is the difference between barring and streaking?

A

Barring refers to markings that run horizonally across a raptor’s chest or tail, while streaking refers to markings that run vertically down a raptor’s chest.

Interestingly, some raptors have streaking when they’re juveniles, such as the Peregrine Falcon and Red-Shouldered Hawk, which then become barring when they have matured. So the presence of barring and streaking in certain species can also tell you about their age.

42
Q

Name the anatomical parts on this Peregrine Falcon.

A

Photo by Mykola Swarnyk

43
Q

Name the anatomical parts on this Red-tailed Hawk.

A

Photo by Susan T. Cook

44
Q

Why are habitat and range important factors to take into account when identifying raptors?

A

Raptors tend to be habitat specialists, so where you see them provides valuable clues to their identity.

45
Q

What are the FIVE overarching habitat types you will find raptors in?

A
  1. Open country
  2. Forests
  3. Wetlands
  4. Deserts
  5. Urban areas

Each of these habitats is preferred by certain raptors although many raptors can be found in a mix of these habitats, too. For example, Red-tailed Hawk can be found in just about all of them, although it leans more towards urban areas, open country, and deserts.

46
Q

Give SIX examples of raptors that prefer open country habitats.

Open country habitats include farmlands, prairies, grasslands, roadsides, and marshes.

A
  1. Red-tailed Hawk
  2. Ferruginous Hawk
  3. Swainson’s Hawk
  4. Gyrfalcon
  5. American Kestrel
  6. Crested Caracara

The Red-tail Hawk and Swainson’s Hawk are the most common pole-perching raptors in North America.

Other raptors that like open country habitats are:

  1. Golden Eagle
  2. White-tailed Hawk
  3. Short-tailed Hawk
  4. Rough-legged Hawk
  5. Prairie Falcon
  6. White-tailed Kite
  7. Northern Harrier
47
Q

Give SIX examples of raptors that prefer forested habitats.

Some are almost never found outside of these environments, except for during migration.

A
  1. Broad-winged Hawk
  2. Red-shouldered Hawk
  3. Gray Hawk
  4. Sharp-shinned Hawk
  5. Cooper’s Hawk
  6. Northern Goshawk

  • Broad-winged Hawk are found in the northern and eastern forests of North America.
  • Gray Hawk are found in the forests of the southern United States, along the border with Mexico.
  • Red-shouldered Hawk are found in southern forests.
  • The Accipiters (Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Northern Goshawk) have short stubby wings for flying through heavily treed environments.
48
Q

Give FIVE examples of raptors that prefer wetlands habitats.

A
  1. Bald Eagle
  2. Osprey
  3. Northern Harrier
  4. Hook-billed Kite
  5. Snail Kite

Bald Eagle and Osprey eat fish; Hook-billed and Snail Kites eat water snails; and Northern Harrier hunt for waterfowl over marshes.

49
Q

Give FIVE examples of raptors that prefer desert habitats.

A
  1. Golden Eagle
  2. Turkey Vulture
  3. Harris’s Hawk
  4. Red-tailed Hawk
  5. Zone-tailed Hawk
  6. Prairie Falcon

Harris’s Hawk and Zone-tailed Hawk are true desert specialists, while Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, and Golden Eagle can be found in a mix of other habitats.

Being habitat restricted means that these two raptors are also range restricted.

50
Q

Give FOUR examples of raptors that do well in urban habitats, like towns and cities.

A
  1. Peregrine Falcon
  2. Red-tailed Hawk
  3. Cooper’s Hawk
  4. Merlin

Peregrine Falcon do well in urban areas because the tall buildings and bridges they nest on mimic the cliffs that are their natural nest sites.

Raptors & Hawks of North America (4 decks)

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