Raptors Of North America

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About Raptors Of North America

Raptor's, hawk's, Owl's, Osprey's, Eagles. Raptor's are common through out north america and i want to studie there migration's, There behavior, flight. i would like to see some of there behavior's from the eyes of other birder's and here all the details of there observation's! thank you i look forward to it. : )





Bubo Virginianus - Great Horned Owl. Our most widely distributed owl and common to common in suburban areas, woodlots, forests, forest edges, neighborhoods, parks and so on. These owls are about 22 inches in length with about a 53 inch wing span. weighing about 3 Pounds!

They can be found along road sides on power lines over looking over fields etc. They are easy to hear, Some say their call can be heard miles in a quiet night. There calls consist of deep hoots all the way to a Raspy shriek.










(Buteo Jamaicensis) Red Tailed hawk

Very Common and wide spread accross North America, this Raptor
is known for its bright red tail which gives it its name it inhabit's woodland's, farm lands, suburban area's, open country, riparian oak forest's etc.

There Diet consist's of rodents, such as, mice, rat's all the way up to the size of large rabbits, reptiles and amphibians. small bird's. up to the size of turkey, theres a story why i say up to the size of a turkey which sounds un believable but is not my friend's, many year's ago i watched a hawk dive and kill a female Turkey and eat it. so it is posible.

Very Easy to identify, juvenile's have banded black and white tail's, as to were adults have red tail's which some barring. white under part's with some brownish blackish barring, white feathered longish leg's, brownish with some white marking's on the back with some blackish eyes.

You can find them almost anywere, anywere from soaring over highway's to your neighborhood light pole at the end of your street. these bird's are among one of the largest buteo's that inhabit North America.

Thank's for your time! : )







Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus)

MEASUREMENTS: The Peregrine Falcon has a body length of 15 - 20 inches, a 3 1/2 foot wingspan, and weighs 1 1/4 - 2 3/4 pounds.
HABITAT: Rivaled only by the Osprey, the Peregrine Falcon has one of the most global distributions of any bird of prey. This falcon is found on every continent except Antarctica, and lives in a wide variety of habitats from tropics, deserts, and maritime to the tundra, and from sea level to 12,000 feet. Peregrines are highly migratory in the northern part of their range.
DIET: Peregrines chiefly hunt birds such as starlings, pigeons, blackbirds, jays, shorebirds, and waterfowl, but will rarely take mammals, reptiles, or insects. Peregrines may use a variety of hunting techniques, but typically prey is captured in the air after fast pursuit or a rapid dive to catch the prey.
REPRODUCTION: Peregrine Falcons frequently nest near water on ledges of rocky cliffs or buildings, but occasionally will use abandoned stick nests of other species. They do not build nests, but scrape a small depression out of the soil. Peregrines lay 3 - 4 eggs, which are incubated for about 34 days. The young falcons fledge 5 - 6 weeks after hatching.
NAME DERIVATION: The scientific name comes from the Latin words falco, meaning hook-shaped (falcate) and may refer to the beak or claws, and peregrinus, meaning to wander. Peregrines have also been called Duck Hawk, Great-footed Hawk, and Wandering Falcon.
INTERESTING FACTS:
Peregrine populations were once endangered due to pesticides like DDT. DDT caused the female to lay thin-shelled eggs that were easily broken, killing the developing embryo inside. After the banning of DDT, in the United States, The Peregrine Fund released more than 4000 captive-reared birds in 28 states over a 25 year period.


Many falconers prefer to use the Peregrine Falcon because of its spectacular high speed dives. The male bird is referred to as a tiercel and the female as a falcon.


Peregrine Falcons have adapted to living in many cities. Cities offer tall buildings with ledges for nesting, water sources, large populations of pigeons and starlings for food, and have few natural predators.

Common In Morro Bay California and along the whole Pacific Coast Line.

i would love to hear some observation story's!

thanks!








Osprey ( Pandion Haliaetus)

common along Coastal Ranges. common to fairly common.
Eat's Fish.

Fact, Osprey's can Dround under water when persueing a fish when they extend there leg's fully and grab the fish if the fish it to large it can not let go due to haveing its legs fully erected out word can not let go couse of the muscles grasping the fish and the tendon's cant release.

Said, Kevincole

Large winspan of up to 72 inches. and length's of up to 24 inches.
this raptor is among one of the largest and unique.

Fact #2 when you site one and notice when it is looking and it moves its head back and forth side to side several times. that meens the Osprey is sizeing the fish, preferably noteing if it is to large to catch and carry away. intelligant bird's i must say they are.






Photo by rl9racer - group admin


If you want you Photo up either put it up or request it, thanks.

Tyler.