Difference between revisions of "Raptors"

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| [[File:Osprey1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - © Ken Czworka]]
 
| [[File:Osprey1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - © Ken Czworka]]
| [[File:Osprey2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - © Ken Czworka]]
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| [[File:Osprey2.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - © Ken Czworka]]
 
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Revision as of 22:52, 11 February 2022

BIRDS



Birds of Prey
EaglesFalconsHawksOspreyOwls


Waterfowl
DucksGeeseSwansCormorantsLoonsGrebes


Near Shore Birds
BitternsCranesEgretsHeronsPloversRailsKingfisherPhalaropesSandpipers


Galliforms
GrousePheasantsTurkeys


Corvids
CrowsJays


Other Birds
BlackbirdsCardinalsChickadeesCreepersCuckoosDovesFinchesGrosbeaksGullsHummingbirdsKingletsLarksNight JarsNuthatchesOriolesPigeonsPipitsShrikeSparrowsStarlingsSwiftsSwallowsTernsTanagersThrashersThrushesTitmiceTowheesTyrant FlycatchersWarblersWaxwingsWoodpeckersWrensVireoVultures

Local raptors include osprey, eagles, falcons, hawks, barn owls, and typical owls.

Osprey

Osprey

(Pandion haliaetus)
Length: 20"-25"; Wingspan: 59"-67"
Large, mostly white raptor that cruises over lakes, rivers, and coastal waterways in search of fish. Impressively widespread: found on every continent except Antarctica. Mostly white head and underparts; dark brown back. In flight, holds wings with a kink in the wrist (shaped like an "M"). Stick nests are conspicuous on top of channel markers, utility poles and high platforms near water. Often seen plunging feet-first into water from high in the air to grab fish.
Nests used every year can be found at Tifft Nature Preserve and Beaver Island State Park

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - © Ken Czworka
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - © Ken Czworka

Eagles

Bald Eagle

(Haliaeetus leucocephalus) - ENDANGERED

Efforts by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other concerned groups have been so successful that the bald eagle has been removed from the Federal and New York State Endangered Species List. Its status in New York has been changed from Endangered to Threatened.
In 2017, there were approximately 426 occupied bald eagle nest sites of which 48 failed (did not fledge young). However, success has increased in following years. There are many sites on public land. During the non-breeding season, Bald Eagles are found throughout the state, but they tend to concentrate at wintering areas and roosts at about four open water sites in the state. While breeding and wintering populations are increasing in New York they are still faced with many threats including development, human disturbances, contaminated food base, and collision with high speed trains, towers, wind generators, and electrical lines.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) - © David Malak

Golden Eagle

(Aquila chrysaetos)

Falcons

American Kestrel

(Falco sparverius)

Perigrine Falcon

(Falco mexicanus)

Merlin

(Falco columbarius)
Small and fierce falcon. Dark above and paler below, with streaking on the underparts; darkness of plumage varies geographically. Feeds mainly on birds captured in flight. Found in a variety of habitats from grasslands, open forests, and especially coastal areas with shorebirds. In flight, note powerful flight, pointed wings, and quick, continuous wingbeats.

Merlin (Falco columbarius) - © Ken Czworka

Hawks

For the article on hawks, click here.

Owls

For the article on owls, click here.