|
 LITTLE
ROCK - Motorists along Arkansas interstates and other highways often
enjoy spotting and identifying hawks and other birds of prey, many of
them migrants from the north.
Some species, like the red-tailed hawk, are year-round Arkansas
residents, but birds migrating in from colder country augment their
numbers. Other species are seen in Arkansas only during the late fall,
winter and early spring.
From the roads, owls are rarely seen; they are nocturnal creatures.
Bald eagles, big, majestic and unforgettable birds, are sometimes seen,
along with ospreys, chiefly near lakes or rivers. Two species of
vultures are common - turkey vultures with red heads and black vultures
with black heads.
If the birds are flying and at a distance, here's a handy yardstick:
Eagles and hawks soar with wings straight out from their bodies.
Vultures, improperly called "buzzards," soar with wings in a V shape.
Hawks and falcons are common and range from small kestrels to the big
red-tailed hawk and red-shouldered hawk. Raptors can vary in plumage,
but here are some tips from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to
help identify several species of hawks and falcons common in Arkansas in
the winter:
* Red-tailed hawk: Large. In flight, look for a rusty-red tail on top
with paler red if viewed from underneath. Dark head contrasting with
light breast and dark belly band.
* Red-shouldered hawk: Medium-large. In flight, look for finely barred
reddish underneath and narrow white bands on the dark tail. Reddish
shoulder patches are a good identifying mark.
 *
Rough-legged hawk: Large. In flight, look for a white tail with a dark
band, pale head contrasting with a darker back and dark belly band.
* Northern harrier or marsh hawk: Medium-large. In flight, look for
long, narrow wings held above the horizontal, white rump and long rail.
* American kestrel: Small, jay sized, frequently sitting on utility
wires. Hovers in flight. Look for rusty back and two whiskers on each
side of the face.
* Merlin: Small, jay size, with long banded tail, long pointed wings.
Brownish slate back with light, streaked under parts.
* Sharp-shinned hawk: Small, slightly larger than a jay, fast-flying
hawk with long square tail and short rounded wings. Slate gray back,
pale underneath with fine rust-colored bars.
* Cooper's hawk: Medium, crow sized, with long rounded tail and short
rounded wings. Slate gray above, fine rust bars underneath.
These are general guidelines for bird of prey
identification. Keep in mind that the juvenile birds of many species
often have different markings and colorations |
