| Features of raptors | • Raptors are adapted for catching prey
• Strong curved bill
• Sharp talons
• Good vision – large eyes
• Females often larger than males |
| Accipitriformes and Falconiformes features | Eyes on side of head
Mainly diurnal |
| Turkey vulture physical features | • All dark body
– Two-toned wing underside
• Adults
– Red head, no feathers
• Juveniles
– Black head, no feathers
• Dihedral flight profile
– Wings upswept
– May appear “unstable” |
| Osprey physical features | • Black and white
– White body underside
– Dark back, upper wings
– Distinctive dark eye line
• Flies on flat wings
– Distinct kink at wrist
– Black “hand” patch
• Circular talons |
| Osprey feeding | Piscivores
• Talon reflex
– Snap closed when in contact with prey
– Orient fish to reduce wind drag |
| Northern Harrier physical features | • Facial disk around eyes
• Long slender body – Long tail. Distinctive white rump patch
• Sexually dimorphic – Male gray, Female brown
• Wings held above the horizontal |
| Bald eagle physical features | • Adults (5+ yrs) – White head and tail, Dark brown-black body, Yellow bill
• Immature - Dark brown
• No feathers on lower legs |
| Golden eagle physical features | • Largest raptor in BC
• Adults – Dark brown body, Golden-hued nape, white band at base of tail
• Legs feathered to toes |
| How do you differentiate a juvenile bald eagle from an adult golden eagle? | Bald Eagle = White armpits
Golden Eagle = Dark armpits |
| Genus Accipiter features | • Long narrow tail – Extends well past wing tips when perched
• Short, rounded wings – Fly with several rapid beats and short glides
• Adults – Orange-red eyes, gray-blue body
• Immature – Yellow eyes, barred brown
• Forest hunters |
| Sharp-shinned hawk physical features | • Smallest Accipiter – Jay size
• Tail – Square tip
• All feathers are same length – Narrow white terminal band
• Thin legs |
| Cooper's hawk physical features | • Crow size
• Tail has rounded tip
• Shorter outer feathers – Broad white terminal band
• Thick legs |
| Northern Goshawk physical features | • Largest Accipiter – Raven size
• Distinctive white eyebrow |
| What is the status of the Northern goshawk VI subspecies? | Red listed |
| Why is raptor ID important? | • Heavily regulated and protected
– Nearly half of BC raptors are red- or blue-listed
• Permits required
– Taxidermy, exporting, display, capture, falconry
• Sensitive indicators |
