Accipiters
Accipiters such as the Sharp-shinned Hawk are agile, hunters of birds. Their
short rounded wings and long rudder-like tail, allow these raptors to chase
and maneuver at speed after other flying birds/prey items. This one is easily
identified as an adult by it's slate blue-gray back and the red eye color.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
Sharp-shinned Hawk sub-adult (2nd year)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (juvenile--1st year)
Notice the brown plumage, and the completely yellow iris in the eye of this
hatch-year bird
Sharp-shinned Hawk in flight
Notice the long tail and broad, rounded wings. Can you age this bird?
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperi)
A larger and more powerful accipiter than the Sharp-shinned Hawk, This is an
adult.
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
This impressive forest hawk, is the largest of the North American accipiters
(bigger than the Cooper's and smaller still Sharp-shinned Hawk) This is a photograph
of a female during migration at Cape May Pt. New Jersey
American Kestrel (Falco sparveus) also
known as Sparrow Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is the
perhaps the most commonly seen raptor in North America.
Red-tailed Hawk closeup
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) aka Marsh
Hawk
The light blue-gray plumage of the male has earned it the nickname of "Gray
Ghost". The wide owl-like facial disc of this hawk help it to locate mice
and other prey items by sound. Harriers often rock back and forth over a field,
they are one of a few species of birds of prey that will hover (flap and stay
still in one place). This male has all but lost the tawny (rufous) feathers
that they posses as young birds.
Northern Harrier (juvenile)