|
Northern Goshawk Uncommon, large, woodland hawk known for its aggression near its nest. Makes loud calls and dives on intruders who approach its nest. Up to 24” long, with a wingspan of up to 45”. Adults have blue gray backs and pale gray under parts. Immature birds are brown with heavy streaking underneath. All have a broad white stripe above the eye and fluffy white feathers under the long, broad tail. Powerful hunters that feed on mammals and birds. Undergo a cyclical migration tied to prey availability. Bulky stick nests, placed in conifers or hardwoods, occasionally in suburban areas, but more often found in more extensive forests. Same nesting area is often used year after year. |
|
Northern Harrier Lean, narrow-winged, owl faced raptor often flies low over fields or marshes, tilting from side to side, occasionally hovering before it drops on its prey of mice, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians. Up to 20” long, with a wingspan of up to 48”. Adult males are silver-gray above, white below with black wing tips. Females and immature birds are brown above and buff colored below, with immature birds being less streaked below and a rich orange to cinnamon color. All have a large white rump patch at the base of a long tail. Wings often held uplifted in a V. Nests on the ground in wet areas or hayfields, sometimes in small colonies. Uncommon in winter. |
|
Cooper’s Hawk Crow sized forest hawk. Adult Cooper’s Hawks are blue-gray above with reddish under parts. Immature hawks are brown with finer streaking underneath. Up to 19” long, with a wingspan of up to 34”. Eats birds and some small mammals, sometimes appearing at backyard birds feeders to consume the avian visitors. Nests have been found in forests in most parts of the state., mainly solitary. |
|
Osprey Large fish-eating raptor often seen hovering over large water bodies like rivers, lakes and ocean bays. Dives feet first, sometimes totally submerging itself underwater in pursuit of its prey. Up to 26” long, with a wingspan of up to 67”. Dark brown upper parts except for a white crown and throat separated by a dark stripe. Underside of the body is white, with alternating dark and light areas on the under-wing. Immature osprey have buff-tipped feathers; adult females have a streaked necklace on the upper chest. Distinct gull-like crook in the wing in flight. Large stick nests are in trees or on platforms on Long Island, in the Adirondacks and St. Lawrence Valley, with a few scattered in the central and southwestern parts of the state. Migrates to Central and South America. |
|
Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District - Home |
|
Raptors of New York |
|
Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District 1200A Scottsville Road, Suite 160 Rochester, NY 14624
Phone: 585-473-2120 x3 Fax: 585-473-2124 |
|
Page updated: July 2007 |
|
Providing Today, Protecting Tomorrow |