san diego birds (birds of prey, larger birds)

underwing: petagial bar (dark band near shoulders) underwing. dark band around wings. black tip wings.

has light morph and dark morph.

Length: 17-22 in ~2 ft; wingspan: 45-52 in, ~4 ft.

red tailed hawk.

red tail

red tail

red tail

found over lakes, rivers, coast, etc. underwings show M shaped kink. stick nests high up. plunge feet first into water. length: 21-24 in, ~2ft. wingspan: 50-71 in,~ 5-6ft.

osprey

med-size. owl-like facial features. white patch on rump. slim, long wings, long narrow tail. low buoyant flight over open fields and marshes, with wings in v-shape. males gray above and whitish below w black wingtips. females/juv warm brown. Length: 16–20 inches, Wingspan: 38–48 inches.

northern harrier

northern harrier

northern harrier

female/juv

northern harrier

mostly white, small hawk. gray wings/back, black shoulders. hovers over open areas for prey (mice, snakes, etc). perches on tall vegetation. Length: 14-15 in, Wingspan: 3ft.

white tailed kite

Length: 26-40 in, Wingspan: 6-7.5 ft.

golden eagle

orangey chest and shoulders. wings: orange/red bar, black and white checkerboard pattern. Perches on wires more. narrow wings and pushed forward, long tail. Length: 16-24 in, Wingspan: 37-43 in.

red shouldered hawk. (smaller red-tailed, and perches on wires more than…)

red shoulder

red shoulder

Small hawk, short rounded wings and rounded tail.

Adults gray above w pale orange barring below (underwing).

Immature browner and streaky. bigger head. deep slow wingbeats.

Common in suburban areas, breeds in forested areas. feeds mainly on birds captured in flight, often stalks feeders for prey. .

Length: 14-21 in, Wingspan: 27-36 in

coopers hawk

(larger w bigger head than sharp-shinned and deeper slower wingbeats. more common in suburban areas than sharp-shinned.)

juvenile

coopers

large, slender.

Dark Brown bib chest band. Pale belly, white throat patch.

Long pointed wings held in shallow v shape while soaring.

Found in prairies and ag regions in warmer months, rare in winter in US. varies in color.

Length: 18-22 in. Wingspan 46-54 in.

swainson’s hawk. (longer wings than red-tail, but otherwise same size).

the smallest hawk. Short round wings. Adults gray above w pale orange barring below/underwing. immatures are browner and streakier. smaller head, more squared off tail, small feet).

Breeds in extensive forests. Feeds mainly on birds capture in flight, often stalks feeders for prey.

Length: 9-14 in. Wingspan 16-26 in.

sharp-shinned hawk.

(Very similar to coopers but smaller overall and smaller head, more squared off tail, smaller feet)

immature

sharp shinned

large. Red featherless head in adults, gray in juv. Dark brown body, two toned underwings, held in shallow v shape soaring and gliding w few and slow wingbeats, wobble in flight. Rides thermals. Appears dark from a distance.

Length: 25-32 in, Wingspan: 6 ft.

turkey vulture

Grayish black in adults, long wings that almost reach tail tip, powerful slender build.

Dark mark below each eye. Juv more patterned underwings, more brownish above. High speeds, power, dives. Wide range of habitats, adaptable.

Length: 14-21 in, Wingspan: 39-43 in.

peregrine falcon

Smallest falcon. ~ same size as mourning dove, but larger head and wider tail. in flight, long narrow wings and square tipped tail. often seen on telephone wires, along roadsides, in open country w short vegetation and few trees.

From perch/hovering, they drop to the ground to snatch small small mammals and insects. nests in cavities.

Hover-hunt over open fields and roadside wires.

Males have slate-blue wings and rust red back and tail. females have warm red/brown plumage w dark barring across wings, back, tail.

Bold vertical black stripes on faces (deflect harsh sun).

Length 8-12 in, Wingspan 20-24 in.

“sparrow hawk”.

american kestrel

medium owl, heart shaped face, deep dark eyes, Tyto owl.

White and black speckling on upper parts, gray/tawny wings, large round head. hunts in open areas by night foraging w a slow and buoyant flight. roosts in old buildings, tree hollows, caves, nest boxes. shrieks, rasps, clicks.

american barn owl

large distinct ear tufts. found in variety of habitats fro dense woods to prairie/deserts. found in wooded towns/suburbs. well camouflaged, dark brown.

great horned owl