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Posted by Paddy Cunningham on 12:01:13 10/28/08
In Reply to: Raptor Help posted by Danielle
I suggest you join my birding classes that will start on 11/22 at the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale. They are great way to learn necessary birding skills that can improve your i.d. ability The classes include hikes and field trips to apply new skills. Contact www.bonnethouse.org
RAPTORS IN GENERAL FOR MATURE BIRDS but look in field guide for further input on rarer hawks and juvenille plummage
FALCONS-Bommerang shaped wings with consistent flying usually in a straight line until they dive bomb at great speeds to hunt, will hover
Peregrine Falcon large, very dark, cheek patch, Merlin overall brown, with one sideburn, American Kestrel-rust back, 2 sideburns
ACCIPITERS-rectangle or box shaped wings, famous for flap, flap glide in flight, long tail, Cooper Hawks-scalloped edge of tail (usually) flat head that sticks out from wing, Sharp-shinned Hawk-straight edged tail, shorter head length
BUTEOS/HAWKS-soaring with broad wings and spread tails, most common Red-Shouldered-on wires, fine banding, red shouldered, Red-tailed-on poles, belly band, red tail, larger, Broad-winged usually in migration, shorter tail with a few broad bands
The main thing to focus on with raptors is the silhouette in flight and flight pattern
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