 Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America and is most recognizable as our national bird and symbol of the United States. The Bald Eagle is a powerful flier, it reaches speeds of 35–44 miles per hour. Depending on location, Bald Eagles can be partially migratory. If its territory has access to open water, it remains year-round, if the body of water freezes during the winter, making it impossible to obtain food, it migrates to the south or to the coast.
 Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
The name "peregrine" means wanderer, and the Peregrine Falcon has one of the longest migrations of any North American bird. It is one of the most widespread birds in the world, and is found on all continents except Antarctica, and on many oceanic islands. People have trained falcons for hunting for over a thousand years, and the Peregrine Falcon was always one of the most prized birds. The Peregrine Falcon is a very fast flier, averaging 25-34 mph in traveling flight, and reaching speeds up to 69 mph in direct pursuit of prey.  Lanner Falcon
(Falco biarmicus)
Lanner Falcons are swift and highly maneuverable in flight. Their primary food source consists of small birds, but they will supplement their diets with small mammals or lizards. These falcons fly low over the ground and swiftly seize their prey, catching their victims with the element of surprise. They will also take advantage of prey injured by humans or other means. Generally, they live alone in grassland or agricultural areas, although they are occasionally reported in pairs.  Gyrfalcon
(Falco rusticolus)
The Gyrfalcon is the largest true falcon in the world, they have a variety of plumage colors ranging from white to almost black. They prey mostly on large birds, pursuing them in breathtakingly fast and powerful flight. These birds have been highly regarded by falconers throughout history. In the Middle Ages, only a king could hunt with a Gyrfalcon. Gyrfalcons typically nest in arctic regions, and frequently begin breeding and laying eggs when the temperature is still below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
 Augur Buzzard
(Buteo rufofuscus)
The Augur Buzzard is the most commonly seen bird of prey in Africa. The belly and chest are all white with specks of gray. Except for their tail, the rest of their body is slate-gray with white specks. The tail feathers are red, which gives them the nickname African Red-Tailed Hawk. The beak is entirely yellow, although turns gray at the very end. |
|
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura)
The Turkey Vulture uses its sense of smell to locate a dead carcass. Compared to other birds, the part of a Turkey Vulture's brain responsible for processing smells is particularly large. In flight, the Turkey Vulture maintains stability and lift at low altitudes by holding its wings up in a V-shape and teetering from side to side while flying. Its heightened sense of smell, paired with it's ability to fly low to the ground, allows it to find dead animals below a forest canopy.
 Black Vulture
(Coragyps atratus)
This species of vulture has benefited from human activity, and is actually more common in predominantly disturbed habitats than in forested wildlife areas. Black Vultures are scavengers that feed on dead animals, as well as weak, sick, or unprotected young birds and mammals. They are smaller but more aggressive than Turkey Vultures and will fight a Turkey Vulture for a carcass.
 King Vulture
(Sarcoramphus papa)
The King Vulture is the largest and most colorful of the vulture species. Their extremely thick, powerful bill is well adapted for tearing; their long, thick claws for holding the meat. Their extremely keen eyesight and sense of smell allow them to locate potential food sources easily. They will often locate food by the presence of the other vulture species. Once the King Vulture lands, the other birds move aside. 
 Tawny Owl
(Strix aluco)
The tawny owl is the size of a pigeon. It has a rounded body and head, with a ring of dark feathers around its face surrounding the dark eyes. It is mostly reddish brown, and has a paler belly. The tawny owl is perfectly adapted for hunting at night, it has extremely sensitive eyes and ears, enabling it to locate prey in very dim light. The tawny owl's hearing is excellent, it can pinpoint prey even when it is too dark for its sharp eyes to see. Due to the soft plumage of the tawny own, it is able to fly silently and pounce on its unsuspecting victim, killing it with its talons or with a quick bite after capture.  Barred Owl
(Strix varia)
The Barred Owl is medium-sized gray-brown, streaked with white horizontal barring on the chest and vertical barring on the belly. They are round-headed, have a whitish/brown facial disk with dark brown trim. The eyes are brown, their beak is yellow and almost entirely covered by feathers. They have a long tail. The Barred Owl is highly vocal.
 Eurasian Eagle Owl
(Bubo bubo)
The Eurasian Eagle Owl is a large owl with prominent ear tufts. Eagle Owls have a streaked breast and mottled brownish feathers. Some Eagle Owls have a lot of orange-brown feathers on the face, under parts, wings, and back. Their large eyes are a brilliant orange-yellow or a deep, fiery orange. Eagle owls are known for their loud calls. They are heard far more than they are seen. They use their various hoots and clucks to let others know they have entered or are entering certain territories.  Western Screech Owl
(Megascops kennicottii)
Mainly nocturnal, the Western Screech Owl hunts primarily mammalian and insect prey, although it may also take birds. With a 21- to 22-inch wingspan, the owl hunts from a perch and descends on its prey. It is not afraid of tackling prey that weighs as much as it does! Even though Western Screech Owls are predators, they may themselves fall prey to other predators, including hawks, snakes, raccoons, skunks, weasels or even larger owls. 
 Harris' Hawk
(Parabuteo unicinctus)
Harris' Hawk is the only North American raptor known to hunt in groups, with the most advanced form of cooperative hunting known among birds. Groups consist of two to seven individuals, usually a pair and their offspring. Harris's use three methods to cooperatively hunt. One method involves several hawks pouncing on their prey where there is no cover. In a second method, one hawk will flush prey from cover while other hawks capture the newly exposed prey. Lastly, hawks will take turns in the lead position of long prey chases. If a hawk misses the prey, a second is prepared to try soon after, a second hawk will come from the opposite direction to intercept the prey. Captured prey can be guarded for more than a day and a half from other predators, which is a form of storing food.  Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis)
The well known raspy cry of the Red-tailed Hawk is used in movies to represent the cry of an eagle or hawk. The courtship of a pair of Red-tailed Hawks is a fascinating display. The male dives down in a steep drop, then shoots up again at nearly as steep an angle. He repeats this maneuver several times, then approaches the female from above. He extends his legs and touches or grasps her briefly. The pair may grab onto one other and interlock their talons and spiral toward the ground. |
