A POCKET FIELD GUIDE TO RAPTORS OF THE PEMBINA VALLEY REGION.

Transcription

1 A POCKET FIELD GUIDE TO RAPTORS OF THE PEMBINA VALLEY REGION

2 1 Vulture Turkey Vulture Eagle Bald Eagle Golden Eagle Accipiter Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper s Hawk Northern Goshawk Falcon American Kestrel Merlin Gyrfalcon Peregrine Falcon Harrier Northern Harrier Osprey Osprey Buteo Broad-winged Hawk Swainson s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Ferruginous Hawk Rough-legged Hawk TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements Introduction About raptors How to use this guide Glossary Vultures (Turkey Vulture) Osprey Eagles Bald Eagle Golden Eagle Harriers (Northern Harrier) Accipiters Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper s Hawk Northern Goshawk Buteos Broad-winged Hawk Swainson s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Rough-legged Hawk Falcons American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Rare raptors in the Pembina Valley Region.. 39 Check-list of raptors Bibliography

3 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Funding for this pocket guide was provided by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Manitoba Tourism Secretariat and A Rocha donors. Special thanks goes to the following people who provided photographs: Alfred Aug, Vic Berardi, Gordon Court, Jerry Liguori, Bob Shettler, Phil Swanson, Dennis Swayze, Robert Visconti and Brian Wheeler. Raymond Klassen produced the initial raptor silhouettes. Many thanks to Valorie Goossen, Rudolph Koes, Allen Schritt, Bob Shettler and Peter Taylor for their review of the guide. Pembina Valley Tourism Association facilitated funding for this guide. Special thanks to Yvonne Peters for her excellent work on the design of this guide. This booklet could not have been produced effectively without the aid of reference material (see Bibliography). Cover photo by A. Aug. Cover background image by Raymond Klassen. Recommended citation: Goossen, J. Paul A pocket field guide to raptors of the Pembina Valley Region, second edition. A Rocha Canada, Morden, Manitoba and Surrey, British Columbia. 42 pp. Printed on FSC certified paper A Rocha Canada. All rights reserved. INTRODUCTION Birds of prey have fascinated people through the ages. They have appeared in the courts of kings, on the arms of falconers and have been studied by many biologists and scientists. For anyone who has grown up on the prairies, the lazy circling of a hawk on a warm summer day is an iconic memory. Historically persecuted for their real or perceived threat as chicken hawks, raptors are now recognized as important links in sustaining the ecosystem. Legislation protects all raptors in North America and for some species additional conservation measures are needed as they are considered species at risk. Birds of prey can be seen in any season of the year, but one of the best times to see raptors is in spring. For the novice birdwatcher, identifying birds of prey can be a major challenge and the cause of much frustration. Even experts can have difficulty with raptor identification. Many raptors look very similar to each other because of their mottled and dull plumages. Adding to the challenge of identification are the differing plumages among juveniles, subadults as well as adults. Also, some species have different colour morphs. Prairie Falcon Photo by V. Berardi 4

4 ABOUT RAPTORS The term raptor applies to birds of prey including hawks, falcons, eagles and owls. Raptors are birds which capture and consume other living creatures or feed on dead animals (carrion). Generally the term raptor applies to birds of prey which are active during the day (diurnal) thereby excluding owls which are mostly active at night (nocturnal). Of the 21 diurnal raptor species recorded in Manitoba, only 16 breed in the province. Diurnal raptors can be grouped into seven categories: vultures, osprey, eagles, harriers, accipiters, buteos and falcons. Vultures are soaring birds which feed primarily on carrion and rely on their sense of smell and good eyesight to find food. Ospreys are the fish hawks of the raptor world. Eagles are large birds known for their strong flight and powerful strength. Harriers are often seen flying low over marshes or grasslands in search of small rodents. Accipiters are agile and swift woodland hawks that pursue songbirds. Buteos are the chunky hawks seen soaring over fields and open woodlands or perched on telephone or hydro poles. Falcons are the fast, powerful aerial hunters of the raptor world. HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE This field guide is intended to be a helpful introduction to the novice birdwatcher and a quick reference guide for the expert in the identification of raptors in the PVR (see map on back cover). The guide focuses on the identification of raptors in flight. So how do you use this guide? First determine that the bird you are viewing is a raptor. Then consult the silhouette guide on the front inside cover to decide what type of raptor you are looking at. Is it a vulture, osprey, eagle, harrier, accipiter, buteo or falcon? Once you have decided what type of raptor you are observing, consult the section in the guide that pertains to that group of raptors. For those unfamiliar with the topographical terminology of birds, please check the glossary section of this guide for definitions and see Figure 1 which illustrates many of the terms. In the Pembina Valley Region (PVR), raptors live in or near a variety of habitats including forests, riparian woodlands, marshes, lakes and grasslands. Rough-legged Hawk Photo by V. Berardi 5 6

5 GLOSSARY Adult a bird that has reached full adult plumage. Armpit area where underwing coverts meet body. Diurnal active during the day. Fingers descriptive term referring to primary feathers of a wing. Flight feathers the primary and secondary feathers. Juvenile a bird that is in its first year. Leading edge the front edge of the extended wing. Morph a descriptor of the overall colouring of a bird (e.g., light, dark). Moustache a dark vertical facial mark. Nape the upper neck region just below the head. Patagium fold of skin between the wrist and the body. Primary feathers the long feathers at the outer edge of an open wing. Rump the region between the base of the tail and the back. Secondary feathers the long inner feathers between the primary feathers and the body. Subadult a bird that has not acquired an adult plumage. Age may range between 1-5 years depending on the species. Subterminal band second last band near the tip of the tail. Terminal band last band at the tip of the tail. Topography pertains to the external features of a bird. 7 Trailing edge the back edge of the extended wing. Underwing coverts small feathers on the open underwing covering the bases of the flight feathers. Wing panel area of light colouration on the primary feathers. Wrist the bend in the wing. Figure 1. Topography of a raptor. Patagium Wrist Leading Edge Fingers Red-tailed Hawk Photo by A. Aug Belly Band Nape Armpit Terminal Band Trailing Edge Secondary Feathers Primary Feathers Subterminal Band 8

6 VULTURES TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) Size: Large raptor. Larger than Red-tailed Hawk. Key identifiers: Large dark raptor, small red head, white or ivory bill. Long wings, two-toned underwings (black coverts, silvery flight feathers). Long tail, silvery on underside. edges are darkish. Golden Eagle has large head with golden nape and has steady stable flight. Rough-legged Hawk has dark subterminal undertail band. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Breeds. Arrives in late March or early April. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 360 (2013). Flight characteristics: Rarely flaps its wings, usually seen soaring with wings held in a strong V over its back (dihedral position). Teetering and unsteady flight when soaring. Confusing species: Golden Eagle and dark morph Rough-legged Hawk. These species also have two-toned underwings but their trailing 9 Photo by P. Swanson TURKEY 10 VULTURE

7 OSPREY OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) OSPREY Size: Large raptor. Larger than Red-tailed Hawk. Key identifiers: Large raptor, whitish breast, belly and underwing coverts. Dark brown back and upper wings. Long, narrow wings crooked at wrist which extends even with or beyond the head. Wings appear in shape of a W or M with dark wrist patches. White head with dark brown eye stripe extending to neck. Long tail. Flight characteristics: Wings are slightly bowed downward; shallow, stiff wing beats. Occasionally soars. Confusing species: From a distance gulls may look similar but lack the dark eye stripe and dark wrist on the underwings and do not show fingers on the wing. Subadult Bald Eagles may be mistaken for Osprey. Osprey are smaller with a white breast. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Migrant. First arrival during second week in April. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 243 (2013). 11 Photo by A. Aug 12

8 EAGLES BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Adult Photo by V. Berardi Size: Larger than Red-tailed Hawk. Key identifiers: Adult - White head, dark body and wings, white tail, yellow bill. Adult plumage attained in five years. Subadults (1-4 years) - various dark and white plumage patterns. Highly variable mottling on body and wings. Underwing coverts generally whitish. Flight characteristics: Flapping, gliding and soaring. Heavy, lumbering, flat wing beat. Planklike wings held flat when soaring. Confusing species: Subadults can be confused with Golden Eagles. Golden Eagles have golden nape, tawny bar on upper wings (except juveniles) and proportionally smaller head compared to the rest of the body. Golden Eagles soar with wings held in slight dihedral. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Breeds but most are migrants. May overwinter, feeding on wild or domestic carrion. Migrants first seen around mid February. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 1,868 (2013). 13 BALD EAGLE Subadult (early) Photo by A. Aug 14

9 GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) Size: Larger than Red-tailed Hawk. GOLDEN EAGLE Key identifiers: Adult - golden nape and dark body. Tawny upper wing bar, silvery underwing flight feathers, dark band along trailing edge of underwing. Juvenile - golden nape, dark body, lacks tawny wing bar. White wing patch visible on upper and underwing. White tail with broad dark band. Subadult - golden nape and dark body. Tawny upper wing bar; base of primaries can be white. White tail with dark broad band. Less white in tail and primaries with age. At a distance, shape like large buteo. Juvenile Flight characteristics: Strong, slow wing beats. Soars with wings in slight V shape. Confusing species: Subadult Bald Eagle, dark morph Red-tailed Hawk and dark morph Roughlegged Hawk - all lack golden nape. Bald Eagle head larger and body bulkier than Golden Eagle's. Red-tailed Hawk is smaller, has shorter wings and lighter underwing flight feathers than Golden Eagle. Dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, compared to adult Golden Eagle, has whitish underwing primary and secondary feathers, and a whitish tail with one or more black bands. Adult Photos by P. Swanson Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Migrant. First seen around mid February. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 104 (2013)

10 17 HARRIERS NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus) Size: Medium-sized raptor. Comparable to American Crow. Key identifiers: Appears lanky; long tail and wings. White rump (not visible when viewing bird from below). Owl-like face. Males undersides are almost white, back is grey. Upper wings are grey with black wingtips and black trailing edge. Females brown with streaked breast. Flight characteristics: Flaps and glides in a rocking motion. Wings in slight V over back. Often flies near ground. Soars but not as much as some other diurnal raptors. Confusing species: Flight is similar to Turkey Vulture, but harriers are smaller. Depending on flight mode and weather conditions can take on buteo or falcon-like appearance. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Breeds. First migrants arrive after mid March. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 198 (2013). Female Photo by R. Visconti Male Photo by A. Aug 18

11 ACCIPITERS SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus) Size: Small accipiter. Comparable to a Blue Jay but a bit larger. Key identifiers: Short, small head barely extends past leading edge of wings. Wings held forward. Square tail. Flight characteristics: 3-6 rapid wing beats then glides. Flitty flight style. Soars with wings flat. Confusing species: Cooper's Hawk has proportionally longer head than Sharp-shinned Hawk when compared to rest of body and rounded, long tail. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Migrant. Arrives in late March or early April. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 1,591 (2013). Photos by V. Berardi 19 20

12 COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii) Size: Medium-sized accipter. Comparable to American Crow. COOPER S HAWK Key identifiers: Cooper's head extends past leading edge of wings. Appears long and lanky, head extends beyond wrists, rounded tail. Flight characteristics: 3-6 wing beats (not as rapid as a Sharp-shinned Hawk) and then glides. When soaring, looks like a flying cross with leading edge of wings straight. Confusing species: Sharp-shinned Hawk has proportionally smaller head compared to the rest of its body and square tail. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Breeds. Migrants generally first seen in late March or early April. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 123 (2013). Photo by B. Wheeler Photo by J. Liguori 21 22

13 NORTHERN GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis) Size: Large accipiter. Larger than an American Crow. Key identifiers: Dark crown, wings and back. Breast finely scaled with grey. Long, white eyebrow. White, fluffy undertail feathers. Broad tail. Body appears heavy. Flight characteristics: Several wing beats followed by a glide. Wing beats are heavy, deep and laboured. Soars. Photo by J. Liguori Confusing species: Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks. Northern Goshawk is larger and stockier. Wing beats shallower and slower. Upper wings are two-toned while Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks are more uniformly coloured. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Migrant. First seen in early to mid March. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 56 (2005). 23 Photo by B. Wheeler 24

14 BUTEOS BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus) SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni) Photo by D. Swayze Size: Small buteo. Comparable to American Crow. Key identifiers: Light morph - Brown upperparts. Light underparts. Breast mottled white and brown. Dark primary tips and trailing edge. Distinct white-and-black banded tail. Dark morph (rare) - Dark body and underwing linings. Distinct whiteand-black banded tail. One white tail band wider than the others as in light morph. Flight characteristics: Soaring, gliding and flapping. Confusing species: Red-shouldered Hawk adult has rufous underwing linings, white patches on outer upper wings and narrow white tail bands. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Breeds. Arrives after mid April. Highest total count in the Pembina Valley is 733 (2013). Size: Medium-sized buteo. Comparable to Red-tailed Hawk. Key identifiers: Light morph - Dark brown head. White throat patch and brown bib. Pale to white underwing linings contrasting with brown, barred flight feathers giving a two-toned appearance. Leading edge of wing is pale to white. Long pointy wings. Dark morph - Brown including underwing linings. Flight characteristics: Soaring and gliding. Wings slightly V-shaped over back. Teetering flight like Turkey Vulture. Confusing species: Red-tailed Hawk. Swainson's lacks dark patagial wing marking, breast band and rufous tail of the Red-tailed Hawk. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Breeds. Usually first seen in early April. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 133 (2013). 25 Photo by P. Swanson BROAD-WINGED HAWK SWAINSON S HAWK 26

15 RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis) Size: Medium-sized buteo. Comparable to Common Raven. Key identifiers: Wide range of plumage variation from light to intermediate to dark morphs. Partial or complete albinism is rare. Three races in Pembina Valley Region: Western, Eastern and Harlan s. Western Red-tailed Hawk Light morph - Dark head and throat. Breast band usually distinct. Rufous tail. Dark patagial markings. Dark morph - Breast and underwings dark. Dark head. Multi-banded rufous tail. Intermediate morph has rufous and dark body. Eastern Red-tailed Hawk Head medium brown, white throat, belly band less defined than Western, sometimes absent, underwing linings and body whitish, patagial markings moderate to distinct. Krider's - Very light morph of Eastern race. Considerable white on head, body and underwings. Patagial markings faint. Breast band absent or faint. Tail a faint rufous. Eastern Photo by V. Berardi Western - Intermediate Photo by P. Swanson 27 Western - Light Photo by P. Swanson Krider s Photo by J. Liguori 28

16 Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk Light morph - Light body and breast band. Distinct dark patagial markings. Tail is greyish or whitish mottled with smudgy terminal band or distinctly banded. Dark morph - Very dark. Nearly solid black body and underwings. Tail greyish or whitish, mottled with smudgy terminal band or distinctly banded. Flight characteristics: Soars with wings in slight V shape. Slightly tucked when gliding. Confusing species: Swainson's Hawk has pointed wings. Lacks rufous tail and belly band. Ferruginous Hawk is larger. Tail lacks subterminal band. Status in the Photo by A. Aug Pembina Valley Region: Breeds. First migrants seen about mid March. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 12,488 (2013). Photo by J. Liguori 29 30

17 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (Buteo lagopus) Size: Medium-sized buteo. Comparable to Red-tailed Hawk. Key identifiers: Light morph - Body and underwing linings mottled white and black. Dark wrist patches. Black trailing edge. Dark broad belly band. Distinct broad, black tail band. Dark morph - Body black to dark brown. Underwings white or slightly mottled. Black lining on trailing edge. Distinct black band on broad tail. Photo by B. Shettler Flight characteristics: Gliding and soaring. Wings held in V fashion. Hovers when hunting. Confusing species: Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier. Similar shape to Red-tailed Hawk. Rough-legged Hawk has longer tail, not rufous coloured. Northern Harrier has white rump. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Migrant. Seen as early as late February. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 77 (2007). Photo by G. Court 31 32

18 FALCONS AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) Size: Small falcon. Comparable to but larger than Blue Jay. Key identifiers: Adult male - White cheeks with facial moustache. Rufous back. Upper wings blue-grey. Light underwings. Trailing edge has white spots, visible in good light. Spotted belly. Distinct rufous, black-tipped tail. Adult female - Facial moustache. Rufous back and upper wing. Streaked breast and belly. Rufous tail with numerous dark bands. Flight characteristics: Flap-gliding flight. Wings flat when soaring. Rapid wing beat. Flight is dainty, buoyant, fluttery and wandering. Confusing species: Merlin. Lack of distinct moustache, darker appearance, heavier wing beat and lack of rufous back and rusty tail separate Merlin from the kestrel. Female Photo by R. Visconti Male Photo by R. Visconti Female Photo by R. Visconti 33 Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Breeds. First migrants seen in late March or early April. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 59 (2013). Male Photo by B. Wheeler 34

19 MERLIN (Falco columbarius) Photos by J. Liguori Size: Small falcon. Slightly larger than American Kestrel. Key identifiers: Adult male Small, stocky with bluish-grey back and wings. Wings tapered. Tail has distinct dark bands. Light, streaked underparts. Adult female - larger, brown appearance overall. Light, streaked underparts. Tail banded. Male Flight characteristics: Rapid, continuous, strong wing beat. Occasionally soars. Tail appears twotoned when soaring high. Confusing species: American Kestrel and Prairie Falcon. Kestrel is slighter than Merlin and has reddish-brown back and tail. Prairie Falcon may appear similar to Merlin from a distance but at close range its larger size and dark armpits distinguish it from the Merlin. Female 35 Status in Pembina Valley Region: Breeds. Migrants first seen in late March or early April. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 88 (2013). Female MERLIN 36

20 PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) Size: Medium-sized falcon. Comparable to American Crow. Key identifiers: Dark head and moustache. Upper body and wings blue-grey. Throat and chest white. Underwings and lower body barred. Confusing species: Prairie Falcon. Lighter overall colour and dark armpits distinguish Prairie Falcon from Peregrine Falcon. Status in the Pembina Valley Region: Migrant. First seen in late March or early April. Highest total spring count in the Pembina Valley is 210 (2013). Flight characteristics: Swift, strong, shallow wing beat. Soars occasionally with tapered, flat wings. 37 Photos by D. Swayze 38

21 39 RARE RAPTORS IN THE PEMBINA VALLEY REGION RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (Buteo lineatus) a Status: Rare migrant. Photo by G. Court GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus) a Status: Rare migrant. BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus) a Status: Rare migrant. Photo by B. Wheeler Photo by V. Berardi PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) a Status: Rare migrant. Photo by B. Wheeler Photo by V. Berardi FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) a Status: Rare migrant. CHECK-LIST OF RAPTORS OF THE PEMBINA VALLEY REGION Common Name Status Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Golden Eagle Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper s Hawk Northern Goshawk Rare Migrant Breeds Migrant Breeds Migrant Breeds Migrant Breeds Migrant Red-shouldered Hawk Rare Migrant Broad-winged Hawk Swainson s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Ferruginous Hawk Rough-legged Hawk American Kestrel Merlin Gyrfalcon Prairie Falcon Peregrine Falcon Breeds Breeds Breeds Rare Migrant Migrant Breeds Breeds Rare Migrant Rare Migrant Migrant 40

22 BIBLIOGRAPHY American Ornithologists' Union. Check-list of North and Middle American birds. Retrieved 19 March 2015 from Bildstein, K., J.P. Smith, E. Ruelas Inzunza and R.R. Veit State of North America's birds of prey. Series in Ornithology, No. 3. Nuttall Ornithological Club and the American Ornithologists Union. Cambridge and Washington, D. C. 466 pp. Earley, C.G Hawks & Owls of the Great Lakes Region & eastern North America. Firefly Books, Richmond Hill, Ontario. 128 pp. Ferguson-Lees, J. and D.A. Christie Raptors of the world. Princeton University Press. Princeton, New Jersey. 320 pp. Godfrey, W.E The birds of Canada (Revised Edition). National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa. 595 pp. Liguori, J Hawks from every angle. Princeton University Press. Princeton, New Jersey. 132 pp. Manitoba Avian Research Committee The birds of Manitoba. Manitoba Naturalists Society, Winnipeg. 504 pp. Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas. Retrieved 26 March 2015 from National Geographic Society. Field guide to the birds of North America. 1st and 2nd edition. Washington, D.C. 464 pp. Pembina River Watershed Planning Authority Pembina River integrated watershed management plan. Pembina River Watershed Planning Authority. 38 pp. plus appendices. Sibley, D.A The Sibley guide to birds. National Audubon Society. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 544 pp. Wheeler, B.K. and W.S. Clark A photographic guide to North American raptors. Princeton University Press. Princeton, New Jersey. 198 pp. 41 Ferruginous Hawk Photo by V. Berardi 42

23 THE PEMBINA VALLEY REGION The Pembina Valley Region harbours a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Although agriculture is predominant in the region, wildlife habitats can be found in woodlots and wetlands, along streams and rivers and in grasslands. Within this region, the Pembina Valley is a significant riparian corridor and an important migratory thoroughfare for thousands of birds including raptors. The Pembina River, with its source in the Turtle Mountains, flows through this region into the United States where it empties into the Red River near Pembina, North Dakota. Slopes of the Pembina Valley are typically covered by deciduous forest and shrubs. MAP LEGEND Pembina Valley Border U.S. Border Highway Divided Highway Local or Gravel Road Community Customs Mariapolis 34 Pilot Mound Crystal City 245 Somerset La Rivière Snowflake N S Manitou Darlingford 201 PEMBINA VALLEY 2 St. Claude Roseisle Miami A Rocha Pembina Valley Provincial Park Elm Creek Carman Roland Morden Winkler 32 Starbuck Fanny- Stelle Plum Coulee 332 Lowe Farm Sanford Brunkild Rosenort Altona 421 WINNIPEG 247 Domain Morris 75 Aubigny 200 Letellier Emerson