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Identifying Birds of Prey
Photo courtesy National Wildlife Federation. Identifying birds of prey has undergone a transformation. The old 'field mark' system has been supplemented with a more behavioralapproach. Our ancestors who stayed close to the land and its rhythms could tell species apart at distances. The used both known field marks and behavior to identify an animal. We are going back to our beginnings. The field mark system was pioneered in book form by Roger Tory Peterson. His field guides focused on color, plumage, marking and other easily seen details. This is called the 'field mark' approach. This works best when you have a clear and close look at an animal. But, if the birds is flying a mile overhead, then the field mark system doesn't work as well. This is where the behavioral approach comes in handy. Instead of looking for plumage details or eye color, more emphasis is placed on how a bird behaves. This behavior approach looks at a number of factors.
Birds of prey species often have distinctive ways of flying and holding their wings. If you learn these profiles and behavior you'll will be able to identify raptors even when they are circling miles above you. I often see Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures flying overhead. When they are tiny specks in the sky is not easy to distinct between the two birds. I often check manner of flight, color pattern of feather and body and whether other birds are in the sky with it. I focused on identifying a Turkey Vulture. The Turkey Vulture is a dark underneath with a dark body, dark V-shape on the wings and translucent white "fingers" at the end of its wings. A soaring Turkey Vulture's silhouette takes on a more pronounced V-shaped than a Red-tailed Hawk. And a Turkey Vulture often looks huge, where a Red-tailed Hawk can look smaller. I have gotten pretty good at telling a Turkey Vulture from any other bird. I think the behavioral approach used along with the field marks approach,helps to make a very knowledgeable birder. There is much to learn about identifying birds of prey. We can't cover it all here. The best books I have found for identifying are ... Field Guide to Hawks of North America  This a classic Peterson field guide teaching the field mark method of identification. This guide has very good drawings on birds of prey. It doesn't include owls but all the other NorthAmerican birds are covered.It is sized to carry with you in the field. Hawks in Flight: The Flight Identification of North American Migrant Raptors  This very thorough guide to the holistic approach. This book is meant to be read before going raptor watching. It includes all the diurnal (day- active) raptors. Night-active owls are not included. It focuses on each species distinct characteristics. Including movement, color pattern and body shape. It is not necessarily meant to be carried outdoors. How to Spot Hawks and Eagles (How to Spot)  This natural history book which discusses the types of raptors and how they differ. It is full of excellent color photographs of the various raptors you will see at hawk watching lookouts or from your neighborhood. Hawks from Every Angle: How to Identify Raptors In Flight  There are over 300 photos on 19 species of raptors including vultures. These 300 photos cover every angle. There are silhouettes and diagrams to aid the hawkwatcher. The beginning of the book contains general raptors and a glossary. 
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