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Birds of Prey
NOTE: As with all migratory biords, all birds of prey are protected by law. It is illegal to possess any hawk or even hawk feathers with out the proper permits or licenses. It is illegal to shoot or otherwise cause harm to any raptor
Birds of prey (also known as Raptors) are migratory birds. Different species survive in just about every habitat in the world. All Raptors are carnivores, or meat-eaters, with each species having its own dietary preferences.
Raptors are at the top of the food chain (as are humans) and consequently, are a good indicator of environmental health. Contaminated water, polluted air, and the destruction of natural habitat adversely affects the raptor and their food sources. Many species become threatened or endangered
Birds of prey fall into two groups: Falconiformes, which include hawks (buteos & accipiters), eagles, ospreys, falcons, and New World vultures, and Strigiformes, the owls. Osprey and Vultures are not generally used in falconry. Owls are infrequently used in falconry
Eagles
There are many species of eagles worldwide. Most commonly known in North America are the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle. These are large, soaring raptors with very long broad wings. It is easy to identify the adult Bald Eagle by its white head and tail; however, the Bald Eagle does not acquire its white head until it is 3-4 years old. The Golden Eagle is named for the golden-buff feathers on its crown and the nape of its neck. The adult bird is usually dark brown with white at the base of its tail.
(Eagle Print: "Deshka")
Buteos
Buteos (Òbeauty-ohÓ) are soaring hawks with robust bodies, broad, rounded wings and fairly short, fan shaped tails. They include the Redtail, Furruginous, Rough Leg, Broadwing, and HarrisÕ Hawks. Of the Buteos, it is primarily the Redtailed Hawk and the HarrisÕ Hawk that is used in falconry. Named for their chestnut red tail feathers (which they acquire after their first molt), Redtails are one of the most widely distributed birds of prey in North America. The Redtail is a hearty and adaptable bird which can often be seen soaring on high or perched in trees or on poles along the highways. They primarily hunt ground quarry but are opportunistic and will also take small to medium winged quarry. The Harris Hawk (sometimes called the Bay Winged Hawk) is a blackish or sooty brown hawk with shoulders, under wing coverts, and thighs of bright chestnut. This bird is native to the southwestern part of the continent. The HarrisÕ Hawk is the most gregarious of all the birds of prey and can often be seen hunting in groups.
(Buteo Prints: Harris Hawk--"C.J." Redtails--"Spike", "Sheba", "Mojo", "The Wait", "The Prize" )
Accipiters
Accipiters are small to medium size hawks with short rounded wings and long tails. These are aggressive, fast, forest dwelling raptors. The female is always much larger than the tiercel (male). The accipiters include the Goshawk, the Coopers Hawk, and the Sharp-Shinned Hawk. The accipiters most likely to be used in falconry are the Goshawk and the Coopers Hawk. The Goshawk is generally gray on the upper parts of their body with an almost white belly which is closely crossbarred with dark gray so that it appears gray at a distance. They have a black crown with a light gray to whitish line from the base of their beak over the eye. The eye of the mature Goshawk is deep red. The Goshawk hunts in the forest with exceptional speed and maneuverability. They are only slightly migratory and their populations are linked closely with specific prey populations. The Coopers Hawk is smaller than the Goshawk, has a wider distribution, and is more abundant. This bird is notorious for raiding back yard bird feeders. The adult bird is blue-gray on their back with reddish brown cross barring on their belly. They have a black crown and red eye but no white eyebrow. Coopers Hawks are more inclined to hunt in the air (winged quarry) and will hunt across open fields.
(Accipiter Prints: Goshawk--"Ruby" ; Coopers Hawk--"Joey")
Falcons
These raptors have long pointed wings, long tails, and notched or hooked beak. Their streamlined bodies and rapid, powerful wing strokes help them pursue prey in open and semi-open country where speed is of the essence. Falcons primarily hunt winged quarry by dropping (ÒstoopingÓ) from high in the sky at speeds that can approach 200 m.p.h. and knocking (ÒrakingÓ) their prey to the ground. There are many species of Falcons worldwide. Falcons used for falconry in North America are Kestrels, Merlins, Prairie Falcons, Peregrines, and Gyrfalcons. The most commonly used falcons are the Kestrel and the Peregrine. Often referred to (inaccurately) as the Òsparrow-hawkÓ, the Kestrel the smallest North American falcon and they are fairly common with a wide distribution. They can often be seen hovering over a field hunting rodents or perched on wires along the highway. There is a distinct difference in coloration between the sexes (unusual in raptors) with the males being more colorful. The males have bluish heads, blue-gray wings and a reddish-brown tail. Their backs are dark while their bellies are white with dark spots. The females lack the blue head, the blue-gray wings and are overall more brownish. Both have vertical black marks on the sides of their heads (Òmalar stripesÓ). Once on the very brink of extinction (due to the widespread use of DDT), the Peregrine falcon has made an extraordinary come back and is slated to be removed from the endangered species list August 1999. This come back is largely the result of captive breeding and release projects initiated by falconers. There are three subspecies of the Peregrine in North America (the Anatum, the Peales, and the Tundra) which are distinguished by region and differences in coloration. Peregrines are generally blue-gray with an almost white, crossbarred belly. They are distinguished by their dark mask and malar stripe. They are aerial hunters of the open country mostly preying on winged quarry.
(Falcon Prints: "Robin..", "Baby", "Falcon on Pheasant")
