Spring Raptors in Southwest Idaho

The high desert region of Southwest Idaho is home to a variety of small mammals and amphibians, which means that food is plentiful for raptors. Here are some that I have seen so far this spring.

Kestrel with mouse.

The American kestrel, also known as a sparrow hawk, has always been one of my favorite birds.  They are easy to spot, as they like to perch high up in a tree or on telephone poles and wires. They are small, only about 12 inches in length, about the same size as a Flicker or Mourning dove. From a distance, I sometimes misidentify these birds them as they like to hang out in the same places. Up close, the distinctive markings and colors of a male kestrel are magnificent. The female has similar markings, but is a duller brown. Kestrels are of the family Falconidae, commonly known as falcons.  Falcons have pointed wings and can move very fast in flight. They eat insects as well as small birds and mammals. 

Prairie Falcon

 

 

Another member of the Falconidae family is the Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus.) They are native only to North America and can be found in the western United States, Canada and Mexico. I saw my first one at Dedication Point in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. It is claimed that over 200 Prairie Falcons nest within this unique geographic area in Idaho.

Cooper's Hawk

Cooper's hawks are handsome birds found throughout the United States. with their sleek silver back, they look regal perched in a tree. They measure from 14 to 20 inches with the males being smaller, as is typical with hawks. Cooper's look very similar to the Sharp-shinned hawk, which are slightly smaller, from 9 to 15 inches in length. They are easier to identify in flight, with the wing beats of the Sharp-shinned being much quicker than the Cooper's shorter, more deliberate movements. Both birds have adapted to suburban environments and will take advantage of easy prey found around bird feeders. I recommend bringing feeders inside if you see these birds hanging around your yard.

Red-tailed Hawk  

 

Perhaps the most common hawk around here is the Red-tailed. It is very easy to recognize in flight with its distinctive and clearly visible red tail. They are commonly seen perched on utility poles along highways. They are large birds, measuring over two feet in length and wing spans over four feet.  Their loud screeching call is also unmistakable. 

Merlin

Merlins are another small falcon. They are similar in size to Kestrels, but do not have the colorful and distinctive facial markings. They feed primarily on small birds, but will also catch large insects and small mammals or reptiles. Historically, they were called "pigeon hawks," not because they eat pigeons, but because they resemble a pigeon when flying. 

Turkey Vulture

Turkey vultures have an acute sense of smell, which is why they know when something has died. Vultures serve a useful purpose in nature, as carrion feeders help cleanup the environment through their consumption of dead and rotting animals. They may not be considered an attractive bird, but they are very distinctive looking and are easy to identify with their bald red head. The featherless head helps keep the bird clean when it is consuming a carcass, since it will often stick its head into a soft opening of a dead animal to access the meat, which can be a messy endeavor.

Osprey in flight.

Unlike vultures, Ospreys are beautiful birds and are amazing to watch as they soar around open waters in search of fish which account for ninety-nine percent of their diet.  They will hoover over shallow water and when they spot a fish, will descend quickly, sometimes submerging themselves in the water, and grab the fish with  its talons. They will position the fish face forward, for better aerodynamics, before flying away.  Sometimes, after a great deal of effort to capture its prey, a bald eagle will intercept the osprey, forcing it to drop its fish and thus, providing the eagle with an easy meal. 

Great Horned Owl

A post about birds of prey in Idaho would not be complete without a picture of at least one owl. It took me several months, but I finally saw my first Great Horned Owl, with the assistance of a few experienced birders who knew where to look.  Since they camouflage themselves so well, I probably would have walked right past this one without noticing him sleeping on a tree branch. In spite of the increasing population of the Boise metropolitan area, the Great Horned owls seem to have adapted quite well being around so many people, which is probably due to the fact that they can still find plenty of food, which unfortunately can include cats and small dogs.  

I am still waiting to capture a photo of an eagle in Idaho, but when I do, I will certainly share it on this blog. .