Raptor ID Workshop
& Plum Island Hawk Migration
Brian Rusnica / Eastern Mass Hawk Watch
Welcome!
Joppa Flats Education Center
Workshop Schedule
Segment Schedule Time
Introductions 15 minutes 9:00-9:15
Identification Technique 30 minutes 9:15-9:45
Massachusetts Migrant Hawk Species 30 minutes 9:45-10:15
Break 10 minutes 10:15-10:25
Massachusetts Migrant Hawk Species 45 minutes 10:25-11:10
Hawkwatching at Plum Island 20 minutes 11:10-11:30
Field Trip: Meet at PRNWR Lot #1 2.5 hours 11:30-2:00
Raptor ID Workshop Goals
Raptor ID Workshop Goals
For Today
● Intro to Identification Technique
● Overview of 14 expected Massachusetts
migrant raptor species
● Intro to Hawkwatching at Plum Island
● Practice in the field
For Tomorrow
● Identify Areas to Explore next
○ Media for Raptor ID
○ Organizations
○ Equipment for Hawkwatching
Birding Ethics (American Birding Association)
1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.
● Always: keep back from nests, roosts, & feeding sites
● Always: stay on trails
● Always: leave no trace
● Limit: human impact
● Limit: advertising locations of nesting/wintering birds
● Limit: use of audio recordings
● Never: baiting
● Never: intentional flushing
● Never: use of flash photography
Source: http://listing.aba.org/ethics/
Birding Ethics (American Birding Association)
2. Respect the law, and the rights of others.
● Always: be a birder ambassador
● Never: bird on private property
3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird environments are safe.
● Always: monitor feeder conditions
● Never: expose birds to domestic pets
4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care.
● Always: Seek ethical guides and organizations
● Always: call out unethical behavior
Source: http://listing.aba.org/ethics/
About Me
Brian Rusnica (Cambridge, MA)● Counter & co-coordinator, Mount Watatic Fall
Hawkwatch site● Counter, Plum Island Spring Hawkwatch site● Board of Directors, Eastern Mass Hawk Watch● Board of Directors, North East Hawk Watch● Administrator, “Raptor ID” Facebook group● Links
○ http://flickr.com/photos/quadceratops ○ http://14hawks8owls.com○ http://twitter.com/CambridgeCoops○ http://hawkseason.com
Identification Technique
Identification Technique Outline
● Disclaimers
● Basic Terms○ Parts & Plumage
● Size, Scale & Shape○ Sparrow > Robin > Crow > Goose
○ Raptor Shapes
● Behavior○ Flight Style
○ Habitat
○ Hunting Style
○ Vocalization
Disclaimers
● Students, not experts
● Exceptions to every rule
● Some birds cannot be identified
● Birds have wings
● Practice, not equipment
Identification Technique
● Combination of field marks
● Shape
● Flight Style
● Plumage
● “Learn the basics well”
○ Learn the minutiae later
Basic Terms
Basic Terms
Field Mark - visible mark or characteristic that can be used for identification
Topside - side of a bird facing upwards when in level flight
Underside - side of a bird facing ground when in level flight
GISS (General Impression, Size & Shape) - Overall impression of a bird
Streaked/Streaks - vertically-oriented marks
Barred/Bars - horizontally-oriented marks
Banded/Bands - alternating bands of color
Size, Scaleand Shape
Behavior
Flight Styles
SoaringSoaring Gliding Soar-Hunting
Rough-legged Hawk Osprey Red-tailed Hawk
Flight Styles
Head-on Wing-on Going away
Red-tailed Hawk Northern Harrier Merlin
Flight Styles
Flapping Hovering Stooping
American Kestrel American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon
Flight Styles
Dihedral Modified Dihedral Flat
Turkey Vulture Northern Harrier Bald Eagle
Habitat & Likely Species
Open Areas / Grasslands
● American Kestrel
● Northern Harrier
● Rough-legged Hawk
Forest
● Red-tailed Hawk
● Red-shouldered Hawk
● Broad-winged Hawk
● Sharp-shinned Hawk
● Northern Goshawk
Wetlands/Lakes/Coastal
● Bald Eagle
● Osprey
Urban/Suburban
● Red-tailed Hawk
● Cooper’s Hawk
● Peregrine Falcon
General
● Turkey Vulture
● Merlin
Habitat & Likely Species
Soar hunting
● Red-tailed Hawk● Bald Eagle
Perch hunting
● Red-shouldered Hawk● Broad-winged Hawk
Pursuit/On-wing
● Cooper’s Hawk● Sharp-shinned Hawk● Merlin
Hunting Styles
Hovering
● American Kestrel● Rough-legged Hawk● Osprey
Stooping
● Peregrine Falcon
Low Flight
● Northern Harrier
Hunting Styles
Fishing
● Bald Eagle● Osprey
Insecting
● American Kestrel● Merlin
Scavenging
● Turkey Vulture● Bald Eagle
Hunting Styles
Vocalizations and Calls
Peregrine Falcon
Osprey
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
All audio samples via Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Species Accounts
ButeosHawks with long, broad wings and
short tails
Red-tailed Hawk
✓ A large buteo with a bellyband of streaked feathers and dark patagial marks.
Overview
✓ A large buteo with a bellyband of streaked feathers and dark patagial marks.
Adult: ● Brick-orange top of tail● Dark brown irises● Complex brown tones● Both sexes plumage identical
Red-tailed HawkAdult
✓ A large buteo with a bellyband of streaked feathers and dark patagial marks.
Juvenile: ● Light brown tail with many thin,
dark brown bands● Pale yellow irises● Monochromatic brown tones.● Both sexes plumage identical
Red-tailed HawkJuvenile
Red-tailed Hawk
Flight styles: ● Soars in wide, slow circles with slight
dihedral, uplifted at hands ● Also kites, hovers, swoops● Fluid, shallow wingbeats
At Distance/In Flight
Red-shouldered Hawk
✓ A medium buteo with a pale crescent marks on outer wing and many thin pale bands on a dark tail.
Overview
Red-shouldered Hawk
✓ A medium buteo with a pale crescent marks on outer wing and many thin pale bands on a dark tail.
Adult● Rufous barred breast● Rufous shoulder patch● Black & white banded flight feathers● Black tail with thin white bands● Dark brown irises● Both sexes plumage identical
Adult
Red-shouldered Hawk
✓ A medium buteo with a pale crescent marks on outer wing and many thin pale bands on a dark tail.
Juvenile● Brown-streaks on pale breast,
evenly distributed● Dark brown top● Dark tail with thin white bands● Yellow-to-brown irises● Both sexes plumage identical
Juvenile
Red-shouldered Hawk
● Soars in steady circles on flat wings● Wings pushed slightly forward in a
soar● Blunt/square wingtips● Quick, stiff wingbeats● Pale crescents visible from extreme
distance
At Distance/In Flight
Broad-winged Hawk
✓ A small buteo with a compact shape, stocky wings that are usually pointed at the tips.
Overview
Broad-winged Hawk
✓ A small buteo with a compact shape, stocky wings that are usually pointed at the tips.
Adult:● Rufous-barring on chest, heaviest
near neck and fading near bottom● Bold black/white tail bands● Dark trailing edge to wings● Brown top, pale below● Both sexes plumage identical
Adult
Broad-winged Hawk
✓ A small buteo with a compact shape, stocky wings that are usually pointed at the tips.
Adult:● Variable brown streaking on pale
breast, heaviest on flanks● Dark brown top● Faint, narrow bands with dark
sub-terminal band● Yellow to Yellow-Brown irises● Both sexes plumage identical
Juvenile
Broad-winged Hawk
● Soars in small, tight circles on flat, stocky wings
● Pointed wingtips in a glide● Snappy, stiff wingbeats● Adult’s broad tail-band visible from
extreme distance
At Distance/In Flight
Rough-legged Hawk
✓ A large buteo with long, narrow wings, small bill and feet with feathered legs. Comes in light and dark morphs.
Overview
Rough-legged Hawk
✓ A large buteo with long, narrow wings, small bill and feet with feathered legs. Comes in light and dark morphs.
Light Morph:● White overall w/dark carpal patches● Variable dark belly and underside
mottling● Irises: Pale Yellow as juv, Dark
Brown as adult● Subtle differences between sexes
Light Morph
Rough-legged Hawk
✓ A large buteo with long, narrow wings, small bill and feet with feathered legs. Comes in light and dark morphs.
Dark Morph:● Dark Brown to Black overall● Variable tail patterns including
banding● Irises: Pale Yellow as juv, Dark
Brown as adult● Subtle differences between sexes
Dark Morph
Rough-legged Hawk
● Soars with a slight dihedral on long, lanky wings
● Frequently hovers or kites when hunting
● Floppy, powerful wingbeats
At Distance/In Flight
AccipitersHawks with short, rounded wings
and long tails
Sharp-shinned Hawk
✓ A small accipiter with a small, round head, short, round wings, top-heavy torso and a thin, banded tail that can appear squared-off at distance.
Overview
Sharp-shinned Hawk
✓ A small accipiter with a small, round head, short, round wings, top-heavy torso and a thin, banded tail that can appear squared-off at distance.
Adult:● Blue to Blue-Gray top, Rufous
barring on pale underside● Dark cap and nape: “hooded”● Irises: Orange to Deep Red● Males more vibrantly colored than
females
Adult
Sharp-shinned Hawk
✓ A small accipiter with a small, round head, short, round wings, top-heavy torso and a thin, banded tail that can appear squared-off at distance.
Juvenile:● Brown top, Rufous-Brown, blurry
streaking on pale underside● Irises: Pale Yellow to Yellow-Orange● Both sexes plumage identical
Juvenile
Sharp-shinned Hawk
● Buoyant, agile but unsteady flight● Soars in tight circles on stubby, short
wings● ‘Flap-flap-glide’ - Many rapid,
snappy wingbeats between glides○ Wingbeats too quick to count
● Small heads, narrow and square-tipped tails
At Distance/In Flight
Cooper’s Hawk
✓ A medium accipiter with a large squarish head, longer, thinner wings, tubular torso and a banded tail that can appear rounded-off at distance.
Overview
Cooper’s Hawk
✓ A medium accipiter with a large squarish head, longer, thinner wings, tubular torso and a banded tail that can appear rounded-off at distance.
Adult:● Blue to Blue-Gray top, Rufous
barring on pale underside● Dark cap with pale nape: “capped”● Irises: Orange to Deep Red● Males more vibrantly colored than
females
Adult
Cooper’s Hawk
✓ A medium accipiter with a large squarish head, longer, thinner wings, tubular torso and a banded tail that can appear rounded-off at distance.
Juvenile:● Brown top, Dark Brown, neat, thin
teardrop-shape streaking on pale underside
● Irises: Pale Yellow to Yellow-Orange● Both sexes plumage identical
Juvenile
Cooper’s Hawk
● Steady in flight whether soaring or powered
● Soars with stiff leading edge to the wings with slight dihedral
● ‘Flap-flap glide’ - Fewer stiff, strong wingbeats between glides.○ Countable wingbeats
● Large head, round tail tip
At Distance/In Flight
Northern Goshawk
✓ A large accipiter with a small head, broad shoulders, bold white eyebrow, broad wings with tapered hands and broad tail.
Overview
Northern Goshawk
✓ A large accipiter with a small head, broad shoulders, bold white eyebrow, broad wings with tapered hands and broad tail.
Adult:● Blue-Gray topside, pale gray
underside with faint barring● Irises: Orange to Deep Red● Subtle plumage differences between
sexes
Adult
Photo: © Lev Frid / Macaulay Lab
Northern Goshawk
✓ A large accipiter with a small head, broad shoulders, bold white eyebrow, broad wings with tapered hands and broad tail.
Adult:● Mottled brown topside, heavily
streaked brown on pale underside including undertail coverts
● Wavy pattern and pale borders on topside of tail bands
● Irises: Pale Yellow to Yellow-Orange
Juvenile
Northern Goshawk
● Steady in soar or direct flight● Wingbeat is a deep, fluid row● Buteo-like in wingbeat and in a soar
on steady, flat wings● Falcon-like in a glide with pointed
wingtips
At Distance/In Flight
FalconsRaptors with narrow, pointed
wings
American Kestrel
✓ A small falcon with long, slim wings, a slim torso, long tail and boldly marked face with two dark malar stripes. Both sexes have orange top sides, while males have blue upperwings.
Overview
American Kestrel
✓ A small falcon with long, slim wings, a slim torso, long tail and boldly marked face with two dark malar stripes. Both sexes have orange top sides, while males have blue upperwings.
Male:● Blue upperwings w/black primaries● Orange tail with a black tip● Buffy underside with black spotting● Irises: Solid Dark Brown● White “pearls” trailing edge of wing
Male
American Kestrel
✓ A small falcon with long, slim wings, a slim torso, long tail and boldly marked face with two dark malar stripes. Both sexes have orange top sides, while males have blue upperwings.
Male:● Orange topside with black barring● Orange tail w/many thin black bands● Buffy underside w/rufous streaking● Irises: Solid Dark Brown
Female
American Kestrel
● Buoyant, unsteady flight, flapping and gliding intermittently
● Frequently hovers while hunting● Hunts during migration and may eat
on the wing● Soars in tight circles on flat, thin,
pointed wings● Quick, flickering wingbeats
Male At Distance/In Flight
American Kestrel
● Buoyant, unsteady flight, flapping and gliding intermittently
● Frequently hovers while hunting● Hunts during migration and may eat
on the wing● Soars in tight circles on flat, thin,
pointed wings● Quick, flickering wingbeats
Female At Distance/In Flight
Merlin
✓ A small falcon with shorter, broad and sharply pointed wings, a stocky torso, short, and a boldly banded tail. Both sexes dark above and heavily streaked below; adult males have blue backs.
Overview
Merlin
✓ A small falcon with shorter, broad and sharply pointed wings, a stocky torso, short, and a boldly banded tail. Both sexes dark above and heavily streaked below; adult males have blue backs.
Adult Male● Dark blue topside● Lightly streaked below● Irises: Solid Dark Brown
Adult Male
Merlin
✓ A small falcon with shorter, broad and sharply pointed wings, a stocky torso, short, and a boldly banded tail. Both sexes dark above and heavily streaked below; adult males have blue backs.
Juvenile and Adult Female● Dark Gray-Brown topside● Heavily streaked below● Irises: Solid Dark Brown
Juvenile & Ad Female
Merlin
● Remarkably steady, strong and fast flight
● Soars in tight circles on flat, stocky, pointed wings
● Hunts during migration and may eat on the wing
● Rapid, stiff and powerful wingbeats
At Distance/In Flight
Merlin
● Remarkably steady, strong and fast flight
● Soars in tight circles on flat, stocky, pointed wings
● Hunts during migration and may eat on the wing
● Rapid, stiff and powerful wingbeats
Ad Male At Distance/In Flight
Peregrine Falcon
✓ A large falcon with long, narrow and sharply pointed wings, a muscular torso, long tail and a dark head with malar stripe for a “helmeted” look.
Overview
Peregrine Falcon
✓ A large falcon with long, narrow and sharply pointed wings, a muscular torso, long tail and a dark head with malar stripe for a “helmeted” look.
Adult:● Dark Blue-Gray topside, pale
underside with thin, dark barring● Subtle plumage differences between
sexes● Irises: Solid Dark Brown
Adult
Peregrine Falcon
✓ A large falcon with long, narrow and sharply pointed wings, a muscular torso, long tail and a dark head with malar stripe for a “helmeted” look.
Juvenile:● Brown-Gray topside, buffy
underside with dark streaking● Irises: Solid Dark Brown
Juvenile
Peregrine Falcon
● Steady flight and unmatched speed● Soars in broad circles on long, flat
pointed wings● Rapid, powerful, fluid, rolling
wingbeats● Stoops at remarkable speed
At Distance/In Flight
Eagles & OspreyLarge raptors with unique
characteristics
Bald Eagle
✓ A very large eagle with long, broad, flat wings and a large head and bill. Plumage varies widely by age and individual.
Overview
Bald Eagle
✓ A very large eagle with long, broad, flat wings and a large head and bill. Plumage varies widely by age and individual.
Adult:● “Unmistakable” bright white head
and tail● Dark torso and wings● Irises: Pale Yellow● Both sexes plumage identical
Adult (5+ years)
Bald Eagle
✓ A very large eagle with long, broad, flat wings and a large head and bill. Plumage varies widely by age and individual.
Adult:● Widely varied Black-Brown and
White mottling in head, body, underwings and tail
● Irises: Dark Brown to Pale Yellow with age
● Both sexes plumage identical
Immature (2-4 years)
Bald Eagle
✓ A very large eagle with long, broad, flat wings and a large head and bill. Plumage varies widely by age and individual.
Adult:● Widely varied Black-Brown and
White mottling in head, body, underwings and tail
● Irises: Dark Brown● “Two-toned” appearance● Both sexes plumage identical
Juvenile (1st year)
Bald Eagle
● Powerful and slow in flight, unbothered by most wind
● Soars in large, slow circles on flat wings
● Glides on drooped wings, can appear M-shaped
● Strong, stiff wingbeats with deep upstroke
● Adult white head/tail visible from extreme distance
Adult At Distance/In Flight
Bald Eagle
● Powerful and slow in flight, unbothered by most wind
● Soars in large, slow circles on flat wings
● Glides on drooped wings, can appear M-shaped
● Strong, stiff wingbeats with deep upstroke
Immature At Distance/In Flight
Osprey
✓ A large raptor with very long and very thin wings, and a small head. Bright white undersides with dark wrist markings and flight feathers.
Overview
Osprey
✓ A large raptor with very long and very thin wings, and a small head. Bright white undersides with dark wrist markings and flight feathers.
Adult:● Dark topside with white head
featuring bold black eyestripe● Irises: Yellow● Subtle differences between sexes● Subtle differences between Ad/Juv
Adult
Osprey
● Steady flight even in strong winds● Soars and glides in large circles on
long, thin, bowed wings, creating an M-shape
● Frequently hovers before diving into water while fishing
● Slow, stiff and shallow wingbeats
At Distance/In Flight
Northern Harrier
✓ A large raptor with very long and very thin wings, a long tail, an owl-like facial disk, and a white “rump.”
Overview
Northern Harrier
✓ A large raptor with very long and very thin wings, a long tail, an owl-like facial disk, and a white “rump.”
● Gray top and white underside● Black wingtips● Irises: Lemon Yellow● “Gray Ghost”
Adult Male
Northern Harrier
✓ A large raptor with very long and very thin wings, a long tail, an owl-like facial disk, and a white “rump.”
● Brown top and heavily streaked underside
● Heavily marked patagial area and undertail coverts
● Irises: Yellow-Brown to Yellow
Adult Female
Northern Harrier
✓ A large raptor with very long and very thin wings, a long tail, an owl-like facial disk, and a white “rump.”
● Brown top and Cinnamon/Orange underside w/variable streaking
● Irises: Juvenile male : Pale Yellow● Irises: Juvenile female: Brown
Juvenile
Northern Harrier
● Lightweight and buoyant with unsteady flight, frequent direction and speed changes
● Long, thin wings always in a dihedral except when gliding
● Frequently seen flying low and slow, hunting close to the ground
● Deep, relaxed wingbeats● White rump visible from distance
Adult M At Distance/In Flight
Northern Harrier
● Lightweight and buoyant with unsteady flight, frequent direction and speed changes
● Long, thin wings always in a dihedral except when gliding
● Frequently seen flying low and slow, hunting close to the ground
● Deep, relaxed wingbeats● White rump visible from distance
Brown Type At Distance
Turkey Vulture
✓ A large raptor with long, broad wings held in a dihedral, and a small, featherless head.
Overview
Turkey Vulture
✓ A large raptor with long, broad wings held in a dihedral, and a small, featherless head.
● Black-brown throughout with silvery flight feathers
● Adult has reddish head, white bill● Juvenile has grayish head and bill● Both sexes plumage identical
Adult
Turkey Vulture
● Teetering from side-to-side in a dihedral in any wind
● Soars in slow, lazy circles● Large profile when seen wing-on,
even from distance● Wingbeats are slow, fluid and end
on upstroke
At Distance/In Flight
Irregular MigrantsOther raptors seen
at MA migration sites
Black Vulture
✓ A medium-sized vulture with a short, square-tipped tail, broad, square wings, small head and lighter outer primary feathers.
● Highly social scavengers● Regular in Southeast US, expanding
Northward into MA
Overview
Black Vulture
● Soars in lazy circles on wings that arch forward
● Slight dihedral in a glide or soar● Square wingtips● Quick, shallow wingbeats● Pale primaries and short tail visible
from distance
At Distance/In Flight
Golden Eagle
✓ A very large eagle, dark brown with a golden nape, variable white accents in wings and tail, with a small head.
● Regular in mid-Atlantic US, Western US, Canada.
● Subtle differences between ages● Both sexes plumage identical● Mostly solitary
Overview
Golden Eagle
● Soars in slow massive circles with a dihedral
● Steady in even strongest winds, gliding on bowed wings
● Golden nape visible from distance● Smaller head than Bald Eagle● Slow wingbeats that end on
upstroke
At Distance/In Flight
Swainson’s Hawk
✓ A large buteo with very long, somewhat slim wings and dark flight feathers.
● Regular in Western US and Canada● Cline of plumage morphs:
○ Light: pale under w/dark bib ○ Dark: dark rufous below
● Unique plumage for adult, sub-adult, juvenile
Overview
Swainson’s Hawk
● Soars in large circles with a dihedral ● Long wings with pointed tips create
an M-shape in glide● Can hover and kite while hunting● Teetering flight● Fluid, powerful but shallow
wingbeats
At Distance/In Flight
Mississippi Kite
✓ A medium-sized raptor with a slim body, slim, pointed wings, and a long tail with a flared tip. Mostly gray overall, with pale head.
● Regular in Southeastern US● Very small breeding population in
Northeast and Canada● Unique plumage for adult, sub-adult
and juvenile
Overview
Occurrence of North American Raptors on Migration in the Eastern US
Species Occurrence
Turkey Vulture Common
Osprey Common
Bald Eagle Common
Northern Harrier Common
Sharp-shinned Hawk Common
Cooper’s Hawk Common
Northern Goshawk Uncommon
Species Occurrence
Red-shouldered Hawk Common
Broad-winged Hawk Common
Red-tailed Hawk Common
Rough-legged Hawk Uncommon
American Kestrel Common
Merlin Common
Peregrine Falcon Common
Species Occurrence
Golden Eagle Fairly Common
Black Vulture Common except North
Mississippi Kite Rare
Swainson’s Hawk Rare
Source: Hawks At A Distance (Liguori 2011)
Hawkwatching at Plum Island
Migration Basics● Migration: birds move due to
resource (food and nesting location)
availability
● Twice a year, in Fall and Spring
● Multiple flyways in North America
○ Pacific Flyway
○ Central Flyway
○ Mississippi Flyway
○ Atlantic Flyway
Migration Basics● Atlantic Flyway: the routes and
habitats that birds migrate along
the Atlantic
● Connects breeding and wintering
grounds
● Coastal Migration
○ Coast as landmark
○ Flight over water
Migration Basics● Permanent Resident vs Migrant
● Short-distance vs Long-distance
Migrant
● Total vs Partial Migrant
Hawkwatching defined● Volunteers identify and count
migratory raptors (birds of prey)
in an effort to survey migratory
numbers.
● Watch at sites along migratory
routes.
● Value of data requires
year-to-year consistency.
● Citizen science
History of Hawkwatching at Plum Island
● Parker River National Wildlife Refuge established 1942
● Hawk Migration Association of North America established 1974
● Eastern Mass Hawk Watch established 1976
● Spring hawkwatching at Plum Island begins 1977, revived in 2006
Bar Charts for Spring Migration at Plum Island, MA
Species Bar Chart
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Goshawk
Species Bar Chart
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Source: Hawkcount.org
Probability to see Raptor during Spring at Plum Island, MA
Species Probability
Turkey Vulture 2 (Poor to Fair)
Osprey 4 (Good to Very Good)
Bald Eagle 1 (Very Poor to Poor)
Northern Harrier 4 (Good to Very Good)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 (Good to Very Good)
Cooper’s Hawk 2 (Poor to Fair)
Northern Goshawk 1 (Very Poor to Poor)
Species Probability
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (Very Poor to Poor)
Broad-winged Hawk 1 (Very Poor to Poor)
Red-tailed Hawk 3 (Fair to Good)
Rough-legged Hawk 3 (Fair to Good)
American Kestrel 4 (Good to Very Good)
Merlin 3 (Fair to Good)
Peregrine Falcon 3 (Fair to Good)
Source: http://www.bartonstreet.com/tom/birds/parkerriverbirds.html
Spring Migration Count Results at Plum Island, MA : 2006-current
NorthEast Hawk Watch - Fall Migration Trends since 1980
Turkey Vulture
↗Increasing
Osprey
↘Decreasing
BaldEagle
↗Increasing
NorthernHarrier
↘Decreasing
Source: NorthEast Hawk Watch 2017 Hawk Migration Report
NorthEast Hawk Watch - Fall Migration Trends since 1980
Red-shoulderedHawk
↗Increasing
Red-tailedHawk
↘Decreasing
Broad-wingedHawk
↘Decreasing
Rough-leggedHawk
↘Decreasing
NorthEast Hawk Watch - Fall Migration Trends since 1980
Cooper’sHawk
↗Increasing
Sharp-shinnedHawk
↘Decreasing
NorthernGoshawk
↘Decreasing
NorthEast Hawk Watch - Fall Migration Trends since 1980
Merlin
→Stable
AmericanKestrel
↘Decreasing
PeregrineFalcon
↗Increasing
Hawkwatching FAQ
How do you know you’re not counting the same bird over and over?
● Consider: Direction of flight, behavior, species, watch as long as possible.
How do you count them when it’s a huge group of birds?
● All counts are estimates. Count by 5, 10, 20, 100 when applicable.
How far do they fly per day?
● Uncertain. On favorable winds, Broad-winged Hawks known to do 200-300 miles.
Areas to Explore
Areas to Explore Outline
● Media for Raptor ID
● Organizations
○ Eastern Mass Hawk Watch
○ Mass Audubon
○ Cornell Lab of Ornithology
○ HMANA
○ Hawkwatch International
● Equipment for Hawkwatching
Media for Raptor ID
Books to OwnBeginner
The Crossley ID Guide: RaptorsRichard Crossley
Jerry LiguoriBrian Sullivan
2013 $25 288pp
Books to OwnIntermediate
Hawks From Every AngleJerry Liguori
2005 $20 129pp
Books to OwnIntermediate
Hawks At A DistanceJerry Liguori
2011 $20 216pp
Books to OwnAdvanced
Birds of Prey of the East:A Field Guide
Brian Wheeler2018 $25 304pp
Apps to OwnALL LEVELS
Raptor IDBy Hawkwatch Int’l and
Cornell Lab of Ornithology34 species of diurnal raptors
1,000+ annotated photosIdentification video for each species
F R E E
Organizations to Know
Eastern Mass Hawk Watch
Web: http://massbird.org/emhw
● Regional group of Massachusetts hawkwatchers
● Monitor sites and count raptors during Spring and Fall Migration
● Locations of hawkwatch sites in your area
● Annual meeting w/keynote speakers
● $10 Annual Dues
Mass Audubon
Web: http://massaudubon.org
● State’s largest non-profit focused on land & wildlife conservation
● 59 Sanctuaries, 20 Nature Centers covering 38K Acres
● Ecological management
● Educational programs for children and adults
● Political advocacy
● Breeding Bird Atlas - statewide bird population project
● $48+ Annual Membership w/extra incentives
HMANA(Hawk Migration Association of North America)
Web: http://hmana.org and http://hawkcount.org
● MI-based non-profit focused on raptor migration
● Hawkcount: daily migration data from 300+ North American sites
● Hawk Migration Studies: bi-annual national print report
● RPI (Raptor Population Index): scientific research tool compiling migration data
● $40+ Annual Membership w/extra incentives
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Web: https://www.birds.cornell.edu
● NY-based premiere ornithology institution in the world
● Research, education, and citizen science focused on birds
● eBird - citizen science bird sighting database w/app
● All About Birds - basic online field guide
● Macaulay Library - largest online collection of bird images and sounds
● Birds of North America - advanced digital life history reference
● Merlin - ‘smart’ Bird ID App
● NestWatch, FeederWatch, Great Backyard Bird Count, Global Big Day and more...
● $50+ Annual Membership w/extra incentives
Hawkwatch International
Web: https://hawkwatch.org/
● UT-based non-profit focused on raptor conservation
● Raptor monitoring, research and education
● Raptor ID App
● Raptor ID Fact Sheets (online field guide) https://hawkwatch.org/learn/factsheets
● $50+ Annual Membership w/extra incentives
Equipment for Hawkwatching
Equipment for Hawkwatching
Must-have
● Binoculars○ Recommended: 8×35, 8×40, 10×40, 10×50.
● Layered clothing○ Includes: hat, gloves
● Sun protection
● Water
http://www.hmana.org/new-to-hawkwatching/
Nice-to-have
● Camera
● Spotting Scope
● Field Guide
● Notebook
Hawkwatcher Slang
Hawkwatching
● Bird (n.): possible migrating raptor (“I got a bird”)
● Speck (n.): distant bird, even in binoculars
● Glass (n.): one unit of binocular diameter, e.g. “two
glasses over the horizon”
● Scan (v.): looking for the next raptor by searching
empty sky
● On/Get on (v.): another watcher sees same bird
● Count it (v.): confirming bird is a migrant
● Naked eye (adj.): bird visible without binoculars
Species
● Sharpie or ‘Shin: Sharp-shinned Hawk
● Coop : Cooper’s Hawk
● ‘Tail : Red-tailed Hawk
● ‘Shoulder : Red-shouldered Hawk
● ‘Wing : Broad-winged Hawk
● Roughie: Rough-legged Hawk
● Grey Ghost: Northern Harrier (Adult M)
● TV: Turkey Vulture