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Raptor Index Page

Red-tailed Hawk

- Common, roadsides & woodland edges

- Red tail visible in flight and while perched (in adult)

- White breast, broad streaked band across belly (diagnostic), brown above

- Long, broad and round-tipped wings

- Bold "commas" located on wing wrist (carpal area.

- Bold dark line running along leading edge of arm

- Wing beat slow, heavy & powerful

- Are capable of hovering in place

Red-shouldered Hawk

- Narrow, boldly banded tail, "white line resembles white chalk line on blackboard"

- Body slim & tube-shaped

- Body & underwings chestnut

- Underwing coverts (shoulders) rusty (that's where name comes from)

- Wings long, narrow & clean-edged; leading edge straight

- Diagnostic field mark is crescent-shaped "stained glass window" effect at tip of each wing.  Lack of pigmentation creates this window effect.

Rough-legged Hawk

- Large, lanky, angular hawk

- Boldly patterned, dark (blotched) belly

- Black patch on wrist of underwing, silvery flight feathers

- Tail white with broad, black band at tip.  Tail long & broad

- Head large & round

- Wing beats are unhurried, methodical & deeply arched

- Often "hovers" on beating wings

Broad-winged Hawk

- Small, chunky hawk, size of crow

- Broad, black & white bands on tail

- Wings short & broad

- Wing linings are whitish, with edges trimmed with black

- During a soar, tail opens wide so that both tail & wings appear shorter.  When tail closed, long & narrow.

- In between thermals, will pump & glide.  Wing beat stiff, quick.

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