Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to CHIL EagleCAM. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Discussion of other Raptor species; their anatomy, biology, ecology, etc.
Topic Started: Sep 16 2007, 11:04 AM (18,093 Views)
Raptorman
Advanced Member
edited
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ostrich2
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
Thank you Bill.

One thing that may be of interest to folks here is to discuss what raptor species are found on the Channel Islands - of course we know the bald is native to the islands. I believe both the peregrine and the red-tailed hawk are known to be present, but there may be other species as well.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Raptorman
Advanced Member
edit
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Raptorman
Advanced Member
edit
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MaMiMoBa Mom
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
Raptorman,Sep 16 2007
12:23 PM
Because I like quizzes (both taking and giving) I thought I might start this thread with one.

Earlier a different thread had this information posted:

"Eagles are the largest bird of prey in North America". Is this true? If not what is the largest raptor species?

I'll take a guess...
The Condor?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bea
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
I think so too. The California Condor. As to question #2? I'm looking forward to the answer. :lol:

Ostrich, when I visited the Island last October, I took pictures of this bird.
Dr. Sharpe thought it looked like an American Kestrel. It was very, very high up in the sky. Click to see bigger picture!

Posted Image Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ostrich2
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
To my untrained eye I would also agree that looks like an American Kestrel (perhaps a female since the colors on the wings and body seem more muted?). The shape of the wings and body, the color of the tail and the pattern on the wings all seem to fit.

Very nice photos.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Raptorman
Advanced Member
edit
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
peppermint
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
Wow those are beautiful birds! I don't think I've ever seen one before.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Patti
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
Bill, thanks for this thread. I'm guessing California Condor as largest raptor. Oops, I don't think CONDORS are prey birds...they eat dead stuff, which is why they get into trouble. The lead ammunition issue and they like freezone (or however you spell it). It was killing condors in the Sespe Reserve area, near where I used to live. I don't think they hunt, as the turkey vulture does not hunt.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Raptorman
Advanced Member
edit


Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Patti
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
Question No. 3---Common trait guesses

1-They use their feet to capture prey

2-Great--outstanding--vision

3-Hooked beaks for tearing food? (But parrots do this too and for scalping mates or ripping off their beaks, if they're in the mood for it.)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bea
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
Raptorman,Sep 16 2007
07:16 PM
So Bea likes quizzes as well. My answer to your quiz is:

As Ostrich suggests your bird (I'm assuming both photos are of the same bird) is an American Kestrel (formerly called a Sparrowhawk- because of its relative size and predator of).
..........

Oh Bill, thank you for those beautiful pictures. And yes, both of my pics were of the same bird. And I'm really happy about my first lesson here "American Kestrels...and how to distinguish male from female". :)^
I can't get over those pictures of yours, just beautiful! And that color in those Kestrels, wow, just gorgeous.

Ok, in regards to quizz question #3, I'm with Patti (seems I'm always piggybacking with someone :lol: )
1) good eyesight 2) sharp beak 3) strong talons

And to break away from piggybacking I'll make a guess on question #2:
"All birds see color". Is this true? If not what would be a raptorial group for which this was incorrect?
I keep thinking owls. I think I remember reading somewhere that they are colorblind? Somehow that would make sense to me, owls being night hunters.

(Please be gentle, I'm a total novice at the whole Raptor thing!!) :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Raptorman
Advanced Member
edit
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
peppermint
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
3 factors common to raptors....hmmmm...how about:

Curved/hooked beak

Hunt with talons

Carniverous

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · What are your questions? · Next Topic »
Add Reply