Hawks, Falcons, Eagles, Osprey and
Turkey Vulture; Oneida’s Birds of Prey
Hawks and eagles are daytime predators; part of
nature’s population control program. They are not active
at night when owls take over that duty. The group
includes seven hawk species, three falcons, the bald
eagle, the osprey, and the turkey vulture. Most are here
year-round, some are only here for the summer and one
regular visitor only comes for the winter. The presence
of populations of a number of raptor species indicates a
healthy ecosystem. If the table is set (ample numbers of
prey) they (the predators) will come!
Oneida’s Accipiters
Oneida’s woodland hawks are represented by three
species with long tails and rounded wings. They are
aggressive and extremely agile, identified by their long
tails and a flap and glide flight pattern. They come in
three sizes with the females being larger than the
males of each species. Females of one species nearly
overlap with the size of males of the next larger
species. The male sharp-shinned hawk is not much
larger than a robin, the crow sized Cooper‘s hawk is in
the middle, while the northern goshawk is the largest.
Cooper’s hawks are locally the most common. They
have adapted to urban life and are often seen in urban
settings and around bird feeders.
Image Attribution Sharp-shinned Hawk with prey By Abdoozy http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sharp_shinned_hawk_2.jpg CC By SA 3.0
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
Sharp-shinned Hawk
(Accipiter striatus):
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Breeds from northern Canada to the middle of Wisconsin
Winters from mid-Wisconsin to the tropics
The most migratory of the Accipiters, seldom winters here
Ten to 14 inches in length, females larger than males
Inhabits large mixed woodlands
Preys primarily on small birds
Nests in conifers next to the trunk, tree bark lines the nest
Juveniles have a yellow eye, adults have a red eye
Image Attribution Cooper's Hawk on feeder By H. Gilbert Miller http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cooper%27s_Hawk_at_Feeder.jpg CC By SA 2.5
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Cooper’s Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
• Breeds from southern Canada, throughout the continental
US
• Winters from central Wisconsin southward across the US
• Only the northern birds migrate
• Fourteen to 20 inches in length, females larger than males
• Inhabits broken woodlands and streamside groves
• Preys on songbirds and some mammals; our most
common accipiter
• Will perch on telephone poles, unlike sharp-shinned
hawks
• Nests in dense thickets, often lining nest with tree bark
Image Attribution Accipiter gentilis By Norbert Kenntner
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Goshawk_ad_M2.jpg CC SA 3.0
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
Northern Goshawk
(Accipiter gentilis)
• Breeds mostly across Canada and the western US
mountains
• Least migratory, winters to southern Wisconsin and
northward
• Twenty-one to 26 inches long; largest of North American
accipiters
• Inhabits conifer-dominated mixed woodlands
• Least common of the accipiters
• Feeds on birds and mammals, including rabbits
• Adult males are slate gray with red eyes and a dark cap
• Nest in mature trees in large woodlands, line nests with
bark
Oneida’s Buteos
Oneida’s buteos, soaring hawks, are represented by
four species. They are often seen high above with
wings in a shallow V, termed a dihedral. All are medium
sized to large. The red-tail is our most common large
forest edge summer resident (some may winter here).
The less common, mid-sized, red-shouldered hawk
breeds in river bottoms along Duck Creek; it may also
migrate south for the winter if food is scarce. The rare,
mid-sized, broad-winged hawk breeds in large forest
blocks and winters in South America. The rough-legged
hawk breeds on the Canadian tundra and winters here,
replacing the red-tailed hawk in winter.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo
jamaicensis)
• Breeds throughout all but the most northerly areas of
North America
• Northern populations may migrate southward,
depending on food availability
• Twenty two inches long; our largest breeding buteo
• Inhabits forest edges and woodlots
• Preys primarily on rodents and rabbits
• Adults usually have red on the tops of their tails with
little banding
• Nests in large deciduous trees; usually near the edge of
woodlands
• Juveniles lack red tails and are more difficult to identify
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
• Breeds in the eastern US to the Mississippi; small
population in California
• A portion of the northern breeding population may
migrate south
• At 15-19 inches long they are slightly smaller than the
red-tailed hawk
• Inhabit open woodlands and River bottoms (Duck Creek)
• The most agile of buteos, feeds on small mammals,
amphibians, and crayfish
• Nests in the crotch of a tree, usually near water
• Secretive, seldom seen outside the forest; vocalizations
are distinctive
• Adults have a reddish shoulder patch
Image Attribution Broad-Winged Hawk By Len Blumin
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Broad-winged_Hawk.jpg CC By 2.0
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
• Breeds throughout eastern US (to western Minnesota)
and central Canada
• Migrates to South America for the winter
• At 16 inches long it is our smallest and least common
buteo
• Inhabits large forest blocks, often near water
• Feeds on frogs, toads, and rodents
• Secretive, sometimes seen soaring over woodlands
• Distinctive call makes them unmistakable when heard
• Short broad tails with barring; adult wings often have
dark outer fringe
Image Attribution Rough-legged Hawk By Walter Siegmund
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buteo_lagopus_29283.JPG CC By SA 3.0
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
Rough-legged Hawk
(Buteo lagopus)
• Nests in the Arctic tundra
• Migrates to the northern US for the winter
• At 22 inches long it is the same size as the summer
resident red-tail
• Seen in winter on wires and on tree branches near
woodland edges
• Feeds on lemmings in summer, primarily rodents in
winter
• Our only large hawk that can hover
• Often have dark patches on their under-wings for
identification in flight
• Long white tail with dark band and white tip help with
identification
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier
(Circus cyaneus)
• Nests on the ground in open marshes and abandoned fields
• Breeds across North America from the tundra to the northern
third of the US
• At 17-23 inches, it is a long slim hawk, seldom far from water
• Rarely lands in trees, often seen gliding low over marshlands
• Feeds on small mammals, waterfowl, grassland birds, and
amphibians
• Often migrates to southern US, may stay here if food is
available
• Females are larger than males, adult males are slate gray
above
• White bar at the base of the long tail is an identification
character
Falcons are the fastest of the daytime raptors. They are
specialized to capture prey in the air. High on the food
chain, their populations declined dramatically prior to
the DDT ban in the 1970’s. The smallest of the three
species is the American kestrel (sparrow hawk). It
breeds here in summer and is commonly seen on wires
in spring and fall. The merlin (pigeon hawk) was largely
eliminated from much of its former range but its range
and population are increasing. The peregrine falcon
(duck hawk) suffered dramatic population declines and
is being re-introduced using eggs from captive reared
birds.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
• Nests in tree cavities, sometimes in bird houses
• Most widespread of falcons; breeds over much of North
America
• Only 10.5 inches long, it is our smallest and most
common falcon
• Often seen hovering along roadsides or perched on
wires
• Feeds primarily on insects, reptiles, and small mammals;
birds in winter
• Most migrate in winter but some remain in most years
• Males are more colorful than are females; reddish back
and head stripes
• Adapted to detect small mammal urine using infrared
vision
Photo Credit: Laubenstein, Ronald/USFW
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Merlin
(Falco columbarius)
• Nest in trees using abandoned nests; do not build their
own nest
• Breed from the Arctic, south to the northern US; winter in
southern US
• Only 12 inches long, they appear chunky with barred tail
and brown cap
• Often seen in cemeteries where they make use of
abandoned crow nests in conifers
• Feed primarily on small birds
• Attack from a quiet perch, striking their prey in the air
• Many do not migrate; making use of food resources in
cities
• Populations are recovering but have yet to repopulate
the eastern US
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
• Nest on bare ground on cliffs and roof tops, usually
within sight of water
• Nearly wiped out, they have been re-introduced in many
areas (Green Bay)
• At 16-20 inches they are the fastest and most aggressive
of our falcons
• Identified by their black mask, long tail, and v-shaped
wings
• Feed almost exclusively on birds taken in the air
• Winter in southern US and southward; some remain on
breeding grounds
• Re-introduced onto roof-tops and man-made structures
• Populations are recovering, particularly near large cities
Bald Eagle, Osprey and Turkey
Vulture
Eagles, turkey vultures, and the osprey make up
the remainder of day-time raptors that live or
regularly visit this area. The Golden eagle is
rarely seen in winter and possibly in migration. It
does not breed here and is not described. The
Bald eagle, Osprey and Turkey Vulture, are
relatively common on and near the Oneida
Reservation, especially during the summer
months. Large numbers of Bald eagles typically
winter near or on the reservation.
Credit: Ron Holmes/USFWS
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
• Nest in trees, generally within sight of water with an open
view from the nest
• Often mate for life which may approach 30 years
• Breed throughout North America; populations are
increasing in many areas
• At 30-40 inches in length; females are larger than males
• White head and tail come with maturity at about five years
of age
• Feed on fish but will take other live animals and carrion if
available
• Defend nest territory but congregate near food sources
• Some remain here in winter feeding on carrion and
waterfowl
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
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Nest in trees; often snags in beaver ponds
Add to nest annually; will adapt to artificial structures
Nest later than eagles
Breed throughout much of Canada, Alaska, western, and
eastern coastal US
Length is 22-25 inches; feed exclusively on live fish
Able to dive into water to capture prey and fly off with it
Large bird seen over water with a dark body from above,
light underneath
Winter in southern US and southward; never here in the
winter
Image Attribution Turkey Vulture Bluff By Mjobling http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Turkey_vulture_Bluff.jpg CC By 3.0
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
• Nest on cliffs, in abandoned buildings, and rock piles
• Do not make a nest and nest late in the season
• Feed young regurgitate from rotting animals on which it
feeds
• Young and adults may regurgitate foul smelling material if
approached
• Breed across North America from southern Canada to
South America
• Feed on any carrion available; not known to kill for food
• One of a few bird species known to have a good sense of
smell
• Winter in southern US and southward, return in late
February/March
Management implications
• Predators represent nature’s control
program for rodents and other species in
abundance. They are at the top of the
food chain and accumulate toxic
contaminants. A diverse group of avian
predators indicates a clean environment
that is supporting a variety of prey species.
An abundance of predators indicates
unusually high prey populations.
Links
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide
www.whatbird.com
For more information, contact Bill Koonz at Oneida Environmental, Health &
Safety Division; bkoonz@oneidanation.org, 920-869- 4569