![]() ![]() Six falcon species, American Kestrel, Aplomando Falcon, Gyrfalcon, Merlin, Prairie Falcon and Peregrine Falcon are classified as North American native species. Most accounts list approximately sixty different species of falcons and caracara around the world. Hawk Identification: Falcons and Caracara While they are communal nesters, turkey vultures often search for food singularly. A six foot wing span, along with a red face defines the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). Along with being smaller than its counterpart the Turkey Vulture, the Black Vulture is an opportunistic feeder, not only scavenging for carrion where available and killing, but also killing live animals and birds, including domestic animals. Recent evidence suggests that a warming climate may extend the range of the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), a native Southeastern species, as far north as New York State. ![]() At year end 2008 California Condor population estimates were 154 in captive breeding programs and 168 in the wild. Most attention goes to the California Condor, North America’s largest land bird. Three Cathartidae species, the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture reside in North America. The video at the top of the page shows an Osprey overlooking a lake and searching for lunch. During the summer breeding seasons, they nest on high platforms around water sources in the northern latitudes of the Eastern, Midwest and Western United States. Ospreys migrate during spring and summer. When they glide above a water body, they spot a fish and then dive to grab it with their feet. They also have sharp talons on their feet. Like all raptors, Ospreys possess keen eyesight and strong flying ability. The Osprey represents the entire Pandionidae family because it’s the only raptor that relies on a diet of fish. Sagittariidae: The Secretary Bird of sub-Saharan Africa is the only species in the family and therefore not well known to the North American audience. Hawk identification continues with the four Falconiforme families listed below provide a first look at the North American birds of prey. It’s a neotropical species that breeds in the Southeast. The Mississippi Kite is the general exception to the rule. In some areas of South Texas, the sky can fill with tens of thousands of hawks as they cruise the heat thermals on their way to their winter destination. Most types of hawks migrate South for the winter, with the migratory season an especially fun time for birders. Without the white head feathers, it might be mistaken for another hawk species during the early years. The white head feathers do not appear until after four or five years. Their dietary habits mean hawks tend to occupy a top spot in their ecosystem food chain and therefore get designated as indicator species because population changes often coincides with ecosystem changes. The Osprey in the video at the top of the page is the exception. Together with Owls, they also go by the name raptors or birds of prey.Īll the birds of prey are meat eaters that dine on other birds, reptiles, small mammals and the like in their territory. Hawk identification often begins with a general description of hawks as the group of large birds in the order Falconiforme, which consists of Eagles, Falcons and Hawks. ![]()
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