Majestic Birds of Prey of New England: Hawks, Falcons, Owls, and Eagles

Majestic Birds of Prey of New England: Hawks, Falcons, Owls, and Eagles

---

Introduction

An introduction to the topic “Majestic Birds of Prey of New England” Birds of prey hold a special place in the natural landscape of New England. From the thunderous dive of a Peregrine Falcon to the silent glide of a Long-eared Owl, these raptors are masters of the sky.

This excerpt from Birds of New England offers a captivating look into the biology and behavior of several key predatory birds, including hawks, falcons, and owls. It’s ideal for bird enthusiasts, students, and conservationists who wish to better understand the unique adaptations and roles these species play in local ecosystems.

chevk it also: 100 North American Birds at Risk

Read on to gain insight into their remarkable traits, hunting techniques, and regional presence.

Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Chosen as our national symbol even though Ben Franklin preferred the Wild Turkey, the Bald Eagle was the first bird on a U.S. postage stamp. Our largest predatory bird, the wingspread of a female can exceed seven feet.

Bald may come from the Middle English balled meaning shining white or from piebald meaning patched.

check it also: The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Only slightly smaller, but a bit heavier, than the Bald Eagle and rarer in New England, the Golden Eagle subsists on prey such as rabbits, pheasants, and squirrels and can carry prey weighing as much as six pounds. They often hunt in pairs, one bird chasing the prey towards the other.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Eating only fish, the Osprey has excellent eyesight, prickles on the toe bottoms, a toe that swings backward, and claws so long that it cannot walk. Catching fish on a third of its dives, it carries its kill head forward to reduce wind resistance. The name means bone breaker.

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

This hawk with a black and white banded tail is not shy about nesting in suburbs or parks. It has a scream-like call that reminds one of a puppy whose tail was stepped on. It hunts from a perch and eats rodents, lizards, and seems to favor snakes.

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

The name is derived from the old English language GooseHawk, although Goshawks rarely hunt geese or ducks. A fast flying bird of the forest with wide wings, which allow for maneuverability through the trees, it specializes in hunting pigeons, quail, grouse, and similar birds, often catching them in flight.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Once called duck hawk, this falcon holds the unofficial record as the fastest animal, cruising horizontally at up to 70 mph and diving towards prey at an estimated speed of up to 250 mph. Its population declined due to DDT use, but the birds have been recovering since the pesticide was banned.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

The smallest of our hawks, it is actually a falcon. It looks for prey by hovering over a likely spot and swooping down on lizards, small birds, and large insects. Unlike most other birds of prey, it nests in a cavity and both sexes share in the incubation of the eggs.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)

The heaviest owl in North America with unmistakable white coloration and yellow eyes, it nests in the far northern edge of the Arctic, dependent largely on the fluctuating populations of lemmings. It winters as far south as the northern half of the United States where it lives on small birds and mammals.

Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)

One of our smaller owls, the name comes from its call which resembles a saw being sharpened. Like all owls, it has very large eyes and exceptionally good eyesight in the dark. Its hearing is so good it can detect a beetle rustling through the leaves on the forest floor.

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

The “ears” of this owl are feather tufts that indicate the mood of the bird, as do mammalian facial expressions, and have nothing to do with hearing. Like all owls, their wing feathers are fringed on the edges, making for silent flights as they pursue small mammals in the dark.

Source Citation

Researcher: Dr. Roger J. Lederer

Book Title: Birds of New England
Guide(s): —
University: —
Completed Date: 2008
Exit Page Number: 19

Have a favorite bird of prey from this list?
Leave your thoughts in the comments.

---