Raptors

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EaglesFalconsHawksOspreyOwls


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Local raptors include osprey, eagles, falcons, hawks, barn owls, and typical owls.

Hawks

Hawks have their own section. For the article on hawks, click HERE.

Owls

Owls have their own section. For the article on owls, click HERE.

Osprey

Osprey

(Pandion haliaetus)
Length: 20"-25"; Wingspan: 59"-67"
Large, mostly white raptor that cruises over lakes, rivers, and coastal waterways in search of fish. Impressively widespread: found on every continent except Antarctica. Mostly white head and underparts; dark brown back. In flight, holds wings with a kink in the wrist (shaped like an "M"). Stick nests are conspicuous on top of channel markers, utility poles and high platforms near water. Often seen plunging feet-first into water from high in the air to grab fish.
Nests used every year can be found at Tifft Nature Preserve and Beaver Island State Park

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - © Ken Czworka
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - © Ken Czworka

Eagles

Bald Eagle

(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Efforts by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other concerned groups have been so successful that the bald eagle has been removed from the Federal and New York State Endangered Species List. Its status in New York has been changed from Endangered to Threatened.

In 2017, there were approximately 426 occupied bald eagle nest sites of which 48 failed (did not fledge young). However, success has increased in following years. There are many sites on public land. During the non-breeding season, Bald Eagles are found throughout the state, but they tend to concentrate at wintering areas and roosts at about four open water sites in the state. While breeding and wintering populations are increasing in New York they are still faced with many threats including development, human disturbances, contaminated food base, and collision with high speed trains, towers, wind generators, and electrical lines.


Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) - © Thomas G Hessler
Bald Eaglets in nest (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) - © Thomas G Hessler


Golden Eagle

(Aquila chrysaetos)
RARE: Rarely seen in Western New York with the exception of occasional flyovers during spring and fall migration. The Golden Eagle is one of the largest, fastest, nimblest raptors in North America. Lustrous gold feathers gleam on the back of its head and neck; a powerful beak and talons advertise its hunting prowess. You're most likely to see this eagle in western North America, soaring on steady wings or diving in pursuit of the jackrabbits and other small mammals that are its main prey. Sometimes seen attacking large mammals, or fighting off coyotes or bears in defense of its prey and young, the Golden Eagle has long inspired both reverence and fear.

Falcons

American Kestrel

(Falco sparverius)
COMMON: Year round resident in all of Western New York. North America's smallest falcon. The slender American Kestrel is roughly the size and shape of a Mourning Dove, although it has a larger head; longer, narrow wings; and long, square-tipped tail. In flight, the wings are often bent and the wingtips swept back. American Kestrels are pale when seen from below and warm, rusty brown spotted with black above, with a black band near the tip of the tail. Males have slate-blue wings; females’ wings are reddish brown. Both sexes have pairs of black vertical slashes on the sides of their pale faces—sometimes called a “mustache” and a “sideburn." American Kestrels usually snatch their victims from the ground, though some catch quarry on the wing. They are gracefully buoyant in flight, and are small enough to get tossed around in the wind. When perched, kestrels often pump their tails as if they are trying to balance. American Kestrels occupy habitats ranging from deserts and grasslands to alpine meadows. You’re most likely to see them perching on telephone wires along roadsides, in open country with short vegetation and few trees.

Osprey (Falco sparverius) - © Ken Czworka
Osprey (Falco sparverius) - © Ken Czworka

Perigrine Falcon

(Falco mexicanus)

UNCOMMON: Year round residents. Several nesting sites have been located throughout Western New York. Population is still on the low side but slowly growing. Peregrine Falcons are the largest falcon over most of the continent, with long, pointed wings and a long tail. Be sure to look at shape as well as size—long primary feathers give the Peregrine a long-winged shape. As with most raptors, males are smaller than females, so Peregrines can overlap with large female Merlins or small male Gyrfalcons. Adults are blue-gray above with barred underparts and a dark head with thick sideburns. Juveniles are heavily marked, with vertical streaks instead of horizontal bars on the breast. Despite considerable age-related and geographic variation, an overall steely, barred look remains. Peregrine Falcons catch medium-sized birds in the air with swift, spectacular dives, called stoops. In cities they are masterful at catching pigeons. Elsewhere they feed especially on shorebirds and ducks. They often sit on high perches, waiting for the right opportunity to make their aerial assault. Look for Peregrine Falcons perching or nesting on skyscrapers, water towers, cliffs, power pylons, and other tall structures. If a mudflat full of shorebirds and ducks suddenly erupts from the ground, scan the skies. A Peregrine (or Merlin) is probably in the area. Peregrines can be seen all over North America, but they are more common along coasts.


Merlin (Falco mexicanus) - © Ken Czworka

Merlin

(Falco columbarius)
Small and fierce falcon. Dark above and paler below, with streaking on the underparts; darkness of plumage varies geographically. Feeds mainly on birds captured in flight. Found in a variety of habitats from grasslands, open forests, and especially coastal areas with shorebirds. In flight, note powerful flight, pointed wings, and quick, continuous wingbeats.

Merlin (Falco columbarius) - © Ken Czworka