BIRDS ACROSS BORDERS Presented by Hawks Aloft, Inc. and New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish http://www.hawksaloft.org http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Distinguishing Characteristics Rufous tail in adults Brown-barred tail in young Dark head Belly Band Pale V on back
Red-tailed Hawk - World Range
Diet Preferences: Generalist. Small mammals up to rabbit size, also birds, insects, and rattlesnakes Nesting: bulky nests in large trees, buildings, bridges or other structure in both rural and urban areas Habitat: Edge specialist, openings in fragmented woodlands, cities, agricultural fields, grasslands Natural History
Demographics North American population estimated at ca. 2,200,000 New Mexico estimate <50,000 but double or triple in the winter months Lifespan 21.5 years maximum (rarely >10 yrs in the wild) Long-term population trends are positive in New Mexico and survey-wide (+2.5%/yr.)
Risk Index - Medium Perch and wait hunting style Uses utility structures a perches Wingspan 43 56 Sometimes roosts very close to center post
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis Distinguishing Characteristics Very pale, almost white below White or pale-pinkish tail Dark leggings in adults Rufous shoulder patches Rufous & gray head Large bright yellow gape Flies with wings in a V- shape
Ferruginous Hawk - World Range
Habitat: grassland, shrub-steppe, deserts, generally with little human Natural History Diet: Specialist. Prey is rabbits, ground squirrels, and prairie dogs. Populations fluctuate in response to prey availability. Nesting: bulky nests in juniper, pinyon, or deciduous trees; utility poles, windmills, artificial nest structures, buildings
Demographics North American population estimated at ca. 23,000 New Mexico estimate <400 but double or triple in the winter months Lifespan 20 years maximum (rarely >10 yrs in the wild) Long-term population trends are positive in New Mexico and survey wide (+4% per yr.)
Risk Index - High Nests on utility structures, particularly equipment poles Uses utility structures as perches for hunting Utility poles often highest available perch in open grasslands Wingspan 53-60 Sometimes roosts very close to center post
Swainson s Hawk Buteo swainsonii Like other Buteo species, is relatively stout-bodied Very long winged Total length of males 19-20 ; mass 1.5-2 lbs. Females 20-22 long, mass 2-3 lbs.
Sexes similar in appearance Polymorphic Dark flightfeathers contrast with paler winglinings
Swainson s Hawk North American Range
Diet in breeding season is mainly mammals, birds, and reptiles Diet at other times, mostly invertebrates (grasshoppers and dragonflies) Breeds from March - August Prefers open grass-land, agricultural areas Natural History
Demographics World population estimates <500,000 94% are found in the United States 10% of population is found in New Mexico Few data on annual survivorship rates Life span avg 3-4 years; maximum 8 yrs Population trends show overall declines survey-wide but +2.2% trend in New Mexico
Migration is more than 10,000 km each way, a distance second among raptors only to that of the Arctic Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius) In North America, of 396 mortality recoveries, 123 were shot, 122 killed on highways, and 151 died of unknown causes Interesting Facts Poisoning by organophosphate insecticides used to control grasshopper outbreaks in alfalfa and sunflower fields caused the death of nearly 6,000 Swainson s Hawks in Argentina in 1995 and 1996
Risk Index High Fairly high risk of electrocution due to nesting habitats and hunting / perching Also threats from collisions and entanglement
American Kestrel - Falco sparverius Distinguishing Characteristics Smallest North American falcon Length 9 12 in. Weight 3-6 oz. Black vertical stripes: malar and auricular Marked sexual dimorphism
American Kestrel North American Range
American Kestrel Natural History Diet: primarily small rodents and insects. Nesting: secondary cavity nesters; egg-laying mid-april and mid-may Habitat: variety of open to semi-open habitats; suitable nest trees and perches required
American Kestrel Demographics North American population est. >4 million individuals. New Mexico estimate <400 but increases in the winter months Maximum lifespan 11.5 years in the wild. Long-term population declines range wide. Non-significant increases in New Mexico.
American Kestrel Risk Index Very Low Frequently perch on power lines and cross arms but are rarely electrocuted. Tendency to cache prey; get in and among equipment.
Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii One of the most common owls in low elevation woodlands and deserts Small owl with feathered ear tufts Length 7.5 10 in. Weight 3.5-11 oz. Females and males similar in plumage (monomorphic)
Western Screech-Owl North American Range
Western Screech-Owl Natural History Diet: predominantly mammals, birds, invertebrates Nesting: courtship begins Jan Feb; secondary cavity nester Habitat: diverse, mainly riparian habitats and deciduous trees
Western Screech-Owl Demographics Population estimates are <750,00 worldwide and <100,000 within New Mexico Population declines noted throughout the West as high as - 8.8% annually. Population trends in NM are unknown. Maximum lifespan in wild 13 years; averages 2-4 years
Western Screech-Owl Risk Index Very Low Very low risk of electrocution, but it has occurred. Tendency to cache prey; get in and around equipment Collision potential might be higher than electrocution
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Ground dwelling Length 8 10 in. Weight ~5 oz. Long legs with sparse feathering Prominent buffcolored eyebrows White chin stripe Sexes generally similar but males often lighter in color
Burrowing Owl North American Range
Diet: primarily insects and small insects Nesting: burrows or cavities; peak nesting mid-may Habitat: open areas with sparse vegetation Burrowing Owl Natural History
Burrowing Owl Demographics Population estimated at 5.3 million worldwide U.S. and Canada ~ 2 million New Mexico >42,000 individuals Density varies from 0.10 to 0.20 pair/km2 in prime habitat Lifespan up to 8 years in the wild BBS trends show stable populations overall (national and NM) but densities vary across time
Burrowing Owl - Conservation Issues Federal Species of Concern New Mexico Species of Greatest Conservation Need Habitat loss, eradication of prairie dogs/ground squirrels, pesticide use, low availability of food
Burrowing Owl Risk Index Very Low Construction activities may displace Burrowing Owls and discourage breeding
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Second largest owl in North America (by weight) Large ear tufts, white bib, yellow eyes Wingspan 38 in. Length 18-25 in. Weight 2-5.5 lbs.
Great Horned Owl - North American Range
Natural History Diet varied, but 90% mammals and 10% birds Breeds early in the season; uses nests of other species
Demographics Population estimated at 5.3 million worldwide United States and Canada est. at 2 million New Mexico >42,000 individuals Density commonly varies from 0.10 to 0.20 pair/km2 in selected prime habitat Lifespan up to 20 years in the wild BBS trends show stable populations overall (national and NM)
Risk Index - High ighly susceptible to electrocution and collision due to large size, large wingspan and perching on power structures, equipment poles erch and hunt tactics encourages use of structures any are killed from vehicle collisions while hunting from power structures esting and perch sites limited in areas of the West
Interesting Facts One of the most successful owls in the W. H. Most extensive range, widest prey base, and most variable nesting sites Can swivel its head more than 180 Hearing is acute, assisted by facial disc feathers that direct sound waves to its ears Feathers are exceptionally soft, providing superb insulation and allowing for silent flight.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Large raptor approx. 3-4 lbs Long-winged (150-180 cm wingspan) Dark chocolate-brown back and upper wing coverts Mostly white breast, white crown and forehead, and dark line through eye In flight, wings often appear to have a reversed W shape
Osprey North American Range
Natural History Eats only fish Found mostly by large bodies of water Builds very large nests, often on utility structures Pairs mate for life, can raise 3 young/yr Often re-use same neset for several years Readily adopt artificial nest structures At risk due to discarded fishing lines
Demographics Fairly long-lived species. Oldest known North American individuals reported to date: 23-25 years old Estimated at 24,000-31,000breeding pairs worldwide, about 7,500-8,000 in U.S. (contiguous 48 states), 10,000-12,000 in Alaska and Canada New Mexico breeding population estimated 10-15 pairs, mostly near large reservoirs Overall significant increases in breeding numbers estimated since 1990, up 50-100%
Risk Index Very High Large bulky nests at risk of fire and flashovers Waste streams Disposal of fish entrails
Head unfeathered and red Ivory colored bill Trailing edge of wings appears gray or silver Length 2-3 ft Weight 4 6 lbs Flies with wings in shallow dihedral Excellent sense of smell Social Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Turkey Vulture North American Range
Turkey Vulture Natural History Opportunistic carrion feeder Breeds March-August Nests in cavities on cliffs, hollow stumps, and in the ground
Turkey Vulture Demographics Population estimated at 4.5 million worldwide; ~29% in United States and Canada during the summer Density commonly varies from 1-5/100 km (60 mi) in NM Lifespan up to 17 years in the wild BBS surveys show no significant trends in the West; declines in migration counts since 1998.
Turkey Vulture Risk Index - High Susceptible to electrocution and collision due to large size, large wingspan and perching on power structures, equipment poles Power lines and towers are common roost sites
Common Raven Corvus Corax Large, black, and majestic Length up to 27, weight 1-1/2 to 3 pounds Adults glossy black with long pointed wings, wedge-shaped tail, throat with elongated feathers commonly referred to as hackles, and large, chisellike Similar to, but larger than other all black North American corvids Low, hoarse voice Tendency to soar and glide rather than flap Tends to be found solitary or in
Common Raven North American Range
Geographically and ecologically one of the most widespread birds in the world Found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, except in tropical rain forests Lived on the Great Plains in association with American bison and wolves Part of the folklore of many cultures. Native Americans of the Northwest revere ravens as being the creator of earth, moon, sun, and stars, but also regard it a trickster and cheater.
Common Raven - Demographics Probably does not breed until age 2 4 yr Record life span for a wild raven is 13 yr, 4 mo One captive may have lived for 80 yr and captive birds at the Tower of London reportedly lived for >44 y Difficult to estimate population sizes Pops. have increased since the 1960s, in the Central Valley of California, raven sightings along roads increased by >7,600% between 1968 and 1992
Common Raven Risk Index - High Often nests on utility structures Uses metal wire and objects during nest building
Other Species - Rough-Legged Hawk
Other Species Northern Harrier
Other Species Northern Harrier
Other Species Cooper s Hawk
Photo Credits Donna Ahrend Doug Brown Charles Cummings Steve Elkins Gail Garber Kristin Madden Bonnie Long Dwayne Longenbaugh David Powell Mark Watson The Wildlife Center