Raptors
osprey
with
sucker
Raptor is an informal name for birds of prey—birds which hunt primarily on the wing. They generally have a hooked beak and strong talons. The females are usually considerably larger than the males. As raptor is a behavior term, the various birds are not necessarily closely related. Should it include owls and vultures? Neither group is closely related to other raptors? They appear, below, more for observational convenience than genetic niceties. Locally seen raptors include:
Ospreys
are a group unto themselves and are seen from April to September.
Eagles
are the largest local raptors. The Bald Eagle is here year round. The Golden Eagle is found in the adjacent mountains.
Buteos
are large and have broad wings and tails. The buteo seeks its prey, any small ground dweller, while either soaring or perched in a tree near a clearing. Locally seen buteos are the Red–tailed Hawk, and the Rough-legged Hawk.
Accipiters
have short, rounded wings which enable them to manoeuvre in forests where other birds are their primary prey. Locally seen accipiters are the Sharp–shinned Hawk, and the Cooper’s Hawk.
Falcons
are small and have long, narrow and pointed wings which are optimized for speed in the open air and are more likely to be found near clearings where their speed enables them to capture other birds on the wing. Locally seen falcons are the Merlin and the Kestrel.
Owls
are not closely related to the other raptors. They mainly fly at night. They are filed elsewhere but a link is provided here.
Vultures
are scavengers, not predators. But, as they look somewhat like raptors when soaring, they are discussed here.
ospreys
bald eagles
golden eagles
red–tailed hawks
falcons Merlins & Kestrels
owls
vultures
Information from Wikipedia: Raptor (Bird of Prey).
