Looking up at the sky and spotting a large, soaring bird can be an exciting experience for any backyard birdwatcher.
With their sharp talons, hooked beaks, and excellent hunting skills, birds of prey, also known as raptors, are some of the most powerful and impressive birds found across North America.
For beginners just getting into birdwatching, identifying different types of raptors can seem daunting at first.
However, with a bit of patience and the right tools, even novice birders can learn to recognize common backyard raptors.
What is a Raptor?
The term “raptor” refers to birds of prey in the taxonomic order Falconiformes. Raptors include eagles, hawks, falcons, ospreys, kites, harriers, vultures, and owls.
They are characterized by their sharp talons and hooked upper beaks used for tearing flesh.
Raptors hunt small mammals, other birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. They have incredible eyesight to spot prey from high above, and strong feet equipped with long, curved claws called talons for grasping and carrying prey.
Common Backyard Raptors
Though raptors are found across all of North America, only a handful of species commonly make appearances near homes and backyards, especially in suburban or urban areas. Here are some of the most likely backyard raptor sightings for beginner birders:
Red-Tailed Hawk
With its trademark red tail and distinctive screeching “kree-eee-ar” call, the red-tailed hawk is perhaps the most recognizable backyard raptor.
As one of the most common and widespread hawks in North America, red-tails are equally at home in forests, deserts, and open fields. These stocky, broad-winged raptors often perch on telephone poles, trees, or poles to scan for prey.
The red-tailed hawk is in fact the most common hawk species found across the continental United States. Its population has exploded in tandem with human sprawl, as these birds excel at hunting rodents in open grasslands and fields near development.
Cooper’s Hawk
Smaller and leaner than the red-tail, Cooper’s hawks have blue-gray upperparts and reddish barring on their underparts. These woodland hawks are fierce and aggressive predators that specialize in hunting smaller birds, rather than small mammals. Listen for their loud “kak kak kak” alarm calls.
To catch songbirds, Cooper’s hawks stealthily prowl forest edges and backyard bird feeders. They perform acrobatic loops and dives through dense vegetation to snatch their prey. Keep an eye out for these dexterous hawks near brushy areas.
American Kestrel
American kestrels are tiny, vibrantly colored falcons. The males have blue-gray wings and reddish-brown backs and tails, while females have brown upperparts with yellowish undersides and streaking. Hunting from telephone wires and poles, kestrels beat their wings rapidly to hover in place as they scan for insects, mice, voles, and other small prey.
These pint-sized raptors are cavity nesters, taking up residence in tree hollows or nest boxes provided for them. Kestrels are widespread across North America in both rural and urban habitats. Their high-pitched “klee klee klee” calls are a sure giveaway.
Bald Eagle
With a wingspan exceeding 6 feet, bald eagles are one of the most massive raptors in North America. They’re easily identified by their white head and tail contrasting with dark brown body and wings.
Bald eagles are most often spotted soaring high overhead or perched on a high vantage point.
Preferring coastlines, lakes, and major rivers, bald eagles aren’t often found deep in suburbia. However, some may overwinter in urban areas where open water remains unfrozen. If you’re lucky enough to see one, it’s an experience you won’t forget!
Great Horned Owl
One of the most common owls across North America, the large, mottled brown and gray great horned owl frequents a variety of semi-open habitats. These birds have prominent ear tufts and reddish-brown facial disks. Their deep hooting calls – “hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo, hoo” – echo through the night.
Great horned owls hunt at dawn and dusk for rabbits, rats, and other small prey. During the day they nest in tree hollows and rest, relying on their camouflage to stay hidden. They may take over abandoned hawk or crow nests. If you hear crows mobbing noisily, an owl may be nearby.
Identifying Perched Raptors
Catching sight of a perched raptor provides the best opportunity to observe field marks and make an ID. When binoculars or a spotting scope reveal key details, identification becomes much easier. Here’s what to look for:
- Size and shape: Note the bird’s overall size and proportions. Is it large like an eagle or small like a kestrel? Are the wings broad or pointed? Does the raptor have a stocky build or slim silhouette?
- Beak shape: Raptors have hooked upper beaks. Note if the beak is short and curved like an owl’s or long and pointed like a hawk’s.
- Plumage colors and patterns: Look for any distinctive markings like bands, spots, streaks, or color patches, especially on the face, wings, tail, and belly.
- Feet and talons: Raptors have large feet with long talons used for grasping prey. See if you can spot any leg or feet feathers like an owl’s.
Watching Raptors Fly
In flight, raptors display additional identification clues with their silhouettes and flight styles:
- Wing shape: Broad, rounded wings indicate an eagle or buteo hawk while long, pointed wings signal a falcon.
- Wing beats: Eagles and buteos soar with occasional lazy flaps. Falcons beat their wings rapidly when active.
- Flight style: Notice if the raptor cruises in open areas or navigates through dense cover. Cooper’s hawks are more acrobatic than red-tailed hawks.
- Flock behavior: Whether the raptor flies alone or in pairs/groups can offer clues to the species.
Common Raptor Calls
Many raptors communicate with distinct vocalizations that can help identify them.
- Red-tailed hawk: Raspy descending scream of 2-3 seconds – “kreeeee-aaaar”
- Red-shouldered hawk: Whining “kee-aah” screams
- Cooper’s hawk: Loud bursts of 3-10 notes – “kak, kak, kak”
- American kestrel: Rapid series of high-pitched “klee” calls
- Bald eagle:Weak seagull-like squeaking
- Great horned owl: Low hooting of 3-8 notes – “hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo, hoo”
Common Prey
Observing what a raptor eats can provide helpful clues. Here are prey preferences for common backyard raptors:
- Red-tailed hawk: Squirrels, mice, rats, rabbits, snakes, lizards
- Cooper’s hawk: Small birds like doves, jays, woodpeckers
- American kestrel: Large insects, mice, voles, small birds
- Bald eagle: Fish, ducks, gulls, turtles, rabbits, carrion
- Great horned owl: Rabbits, rats, mice, skunks, cats
When and Where to Look
Like all birds, raptors follow daily and seasonal routines. Here are tips on the best times and places to spot backyard raptors:
- Scan treetops, telephone poles, fence posts, and other elevated perches
- Check areas near woods, brushy fields, and edge habitat
- Aim for early morning or late afternoon light
- Listen for raptor calls around dawn or dusk
- Watch for inspiraling flocks during migration seasons
Raptor Nests and Territorial Behavior
Many raptors return to the same nesting sites year after year.
Large stick nests indicate the home range of breeding hawks, eagles, or owls. Watch for territorial behavior like alarm calls, aerial displays, or attacks on intruders entering the nesting area.
However, be careful not to disturb nesting raptors. Maintain a respectful distance and limit activity near the nest, especially early in the breeding season. Let the birds raise their chicks in peace.
Raptor migration patterns
Raptors migrate through many areas of North America each spring and fall. Migration offers unique opportunities to see various raptor species pass overhead on their journeys.
Common passage times are March through May in spring and August through November in autumn. On peak migration days, hundreds or even thousands of raptors may fly by in a single spot.
Hawk watches at scenic promontories are great for witnessing the phenomenon. Local parks or nature preserves near major rivers and ridgelines also host migrating raptors.
Unusual Backyard Raptors
While typical backyard raptors provide plenty of excitement, a surprise rare visitor now and then adds extra thrill. Here are some special sightings birders love to log:
- Peregrine falcon: The fastest animal on earth, peregrines can hit 200 mph dives when hunting other birds.
- Osprey: These fish hawks are strikingly white and brown. Watch for high, hovering dives into water to catch fish.
- Bald eagle: Our national symbol always creates a stir. Note the massive build, brown body, and distinctive white head and tail.
- Snowy owl: These arctic natives are nomadic in winter. They’re stunning all-white with haunting yellow eyes.
- Northern goshawk: Fierce accipiters, goshawks have bold white eye lines and bluish-gray back plumage.
Part of the fun of birdwatching is stumbling onto unexpected finds. An oddball raptor spotted among the usual backyard regulars makes for an exciting observation!
Popular Falconry Birds
Many raptors have been trained for falconry over centuries. See if you can spot any of these popular falconry species out and about:
- Red-tailed hawk: Classic falconry bird perfect for beginners. Versatile and hardy.
- Harris’s hawk: Unusual social hawks that hunt in packs alongside handlers.
- Peregrine falcon: The ultimate speedster prized for fast and agile aerial flights.
- American kestrel: Small falcons used for hunting small quarry and honing skills.
Partnerships between raptors and falconers demonstrate a unique bond. If you see a bird with jesses or bells on its legs, it likely belongs to a nearby falconry team.
Illegal Raptor Trapping and Poaching
While falconry is legal with proper permits and regulations, unfortunately illegal trapping and poaching of raptors still occurs in some areas. Know the signs of unlawful activity:
- Mist nets or pole traps set out in the open, not on a falconer’s property
- Leg hold or foothold traps placed near perches, nests, or feeders
- Raptors held in poor conditions by unlicensed individuals
- Evidence of endangered species like bald or golden eagles being captured
If potential raptor poaching is spotted, discretely document evidence and contact wildlife authorities. Do not intervene directly. With community vigilance, these important birds can be protected.
Avoiding Conflicts with Backyard Raptors
Raptors play a vital role in balancing ecosystems. But they may come into conflict with humans when nesting or hunting near homes. Here are tips for avoiding problems:
- Do not approach active raptor nests
- Keep small pets indoors and supervise them outside
- Install predator guards on poultry coops and enclosures
- Use deterrents like scarecrows and sprinklers if raptors visit often
- Cover fruit trees and gardens with netting to exclude raptors
Removing food attractants, blocking access, and reinforcing outbuildings can discourage raptor activity near the home. But ultimately, peaceful coexistence ensures backyard birders and raptors can both thrive.
Enjoying Backyard Raptors
Developing the identification skills to distinguish bald eagles from red-tailed hawks or great horned owls from barn owls is extremely rewarding for novice birders.
Tracking a juvenile Cooper’s hawk as it progresses from clumsy fledgling to skillful hunter teaches valuable lessons about nature.
Raptors also connect us to history. Humanity has admired these regal birds for centuries, even millennia.
Spotting a peregrine falcon overhead harkens back to the days when pharaohs flew these falcons to hunt by the Nile.
So grab your binoculars, sharpen your eyes and ears, and see if you can discover the fascinating world of raptors right in your own backyard!
