Course - Identifying Raptors in Flight
Introduction

Raptor Categories

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Note: The species in parentheses are included in the category but will not appear in this course.

  • Accipiters

    This includes:

    Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, (Northern Goshawk)

    • Long Tail

    • Short, wide wings

    • They fly in a flapping, then glide wingbeat.

  • Buteos

    This includes:

    Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, (Swainson’s Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk

    • Broad Wings

    • Short, rounded tail

    • Frequently seen flying

  • Falcons

    This includes:

    American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, (Prairie Falcon, Gyrfalcon)

    • Pointed wings

    • Long, tapered tail

    • Rowing wingbeats

  • Northern Harrier

    Its own category.

    • Holds wings in V-shape

    • Long tail

    • White rump

  • Eagle and Osprey

    I’m putting these together, they are usually in category “Other”.

  • Vultures

    This includes: (sometimes seen in category “Other):

    Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture

    • Large

    • Broad-winged

    • Frequently seen soaring