Birds of a Feather

Raptors migrating past this hawk watch site commonly belong to three families—buteos, falcons, and accipiters—which can be identified in flight by their wing and tail shapes and by how they move through the air. Buteos have long, broad wings, a chunky body, and a short, fanned-out tail, and they soar for long periods without flapping; examples include the red-tailed hawk, broad-winged hawk, and red-shouldered hawk. Falcons have long, pointed wings and a long, narrow tail, and they fly with constant, strong flapping; examples include the American kestrel, merlin, and peregrine falcon. Accipiters have short, rounded wings and a long, narrow tail, and they move in a pattern of flaps and glides; examples include the sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper’s hawk, and northern goshawk.

Pennsylvania · United States