Photographic Guide to North American Raptors

by Wheeler, Brian K.

• ISBN13: 9780691116440
• ISBN10: 069111644X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-05-12
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr

Summary

Whether soaring or perched, diurnal birds of prey often present challenging identification problems for the bird enthusiast. Variable plumage, color morphs, and unique individual characteristics are just some of the factors bird watchers must consider when identifying the different species. In this authoritative reference, two of the world's top experts on raptors provide an essential guide to the variations in the species, allowing for easier recognition of key identification points. All the distinguishing marks described have been exhaustively tested in a wide range of field conditions by the authors as well as the colleagues and students who have learned from them. Key Features: The only complete photographic guide to North American diurnal birds of prey Includes all species, common and rare Written by well-known experts Contains 365 photographs, each with an explanatory caption and supporting text describing all 43 species of diurnal raptors found in North America Features 14 discussions of specific problems in practical identification Complete set showing every plumage Raptor I.D. problem section showing similar species side by side Species List: Turkey Vulture. Black Vulture. California Condor. Osprey. Hook-billed Kite. Swallow-tailed Kite. White-tailed Kite. Snail Kite. Mississippi Kite. Bald Eagle. North Harrier. Sharp-skinned Hawk. Cooper's Hawk. Northern Goshark. Common Black Hawk. Harris' Hawk. Gray Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk. Broad-winged Hawk. Short-tailed Hawk. Swainson's Hawk. White-tailed Hawk. Zone-tailed Hawk. Red-tailed Hawk. Ferruginous Hawk. Rough-legged Hawk. Golden Eagle. Crested Caracara. American Kestrel. Merlin. Aplomado Falcon. Gyrfalcon. Peregrine. Prairie Falcon. Crane Hawk. Roadside Hawk. Hawaiian Hawk. Red-backed Hawk. Steller's Sea Eagle. White-tailed Eagle. Collared Forest Falcon. Northern Hobby. Common Kestrel.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Photo Credits	p. xi
Introduction	p. xiii
Glossary and Anatomy	p. xv
Vultures	p. 1
Turkey Vulture	p. 1
Black Vulture	p. 5
California Condor	p. 7
Osprey	p. 9
Kites	p. 12
Hook-billed Kite	p. 12
Swallow-tailed Kite	p. 15
White-tailed Kite	p. 17
Snail Kite	p. 20
Mississippi Kite	p. 23
Northern Harrier	p. 28
Accipiters	p. 32
Sharp-shinned Hawk	p. 32
Cooper's Hawk	p. 35
Northern Goshawk	p. 38
Buteonines	p. 42
Common Black Hawk	p. 42
Harris' Hawk	p. 45
Gray Hawk	p. 47
Red-shouldered Hawk	p. 49
Broad-winged Hawk	p. 56
Short-tailed Hawk	p. 60
Swainson's Hawk	p. 63
White-tailed Hawk	p. 73
Zone-tailed Hawk	p. 79
Red-tailed Hawk	p. 82
Ferruginous Hawk	p. 100
Rough-legged Hawk	p. 108
Eagles	p. 116
Bald Eagle	p. 116
Golden Eagle	p. 123
Crested Caracara	p. 127
Falcons	p. 130
American Kestrel	p. 130
Aplomado Falcon	p. 133
Merlin	p. 136
Prairie Falcon	p. 141
Gyrfalcon	p. 145
Peregrine	p. 149
Vagrants	p. 154
Crane Hawk	p. 154
White-tailed Eagle	p. 155
Steller's Sea Eagle	p. 157
Roadside Hawk	p. 159
Red-backed Buzzard	p. 161
Hawaiian Hawk	p. 162
Collared Forest-Falcon	p. 163
Common Kestrel	p. 164
Northern Hobby	p. 166
Raptor identification problems	p. 168
Index	p. 197
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