1. Hawk group (Accipitridae)
Osprey vs. Bald Eagle :
Osprey (魚鷹) - only raptor that plunges into the water,
entering feet first to catch fish with its talons; broad black
patch extends through cheeks and eyes, contrasting with white head; white underparts; flies with a
gull-like crook (彎曲) in wing,
showing a black "wrist" patch from below. In flight, its arched
wings and drooping "hands" gives it a gull-like appearance. [
Picture
from NASA mirror ]
When seen head-on, it has a distinctive bowed wings.
So ospreys can be
identified at great distances by (1) gull-like crook wings when soaring on updrafts
along mountains and coastlines, (2) gull-like appearance while in flight
especially hovering, or (3) distinctive bowed wings when seen head-on.
Ospreys in S. Florida are
non-migratory.
Bald Eagle - pure white head and tail; dark brown body (black
at distance) so underparts is brown not white; flies overhead showing brown body
and wings with white head and tail; eyes, bill, legs and feet bright yellow.
The bird reaches adulthood when they are three to four years old.
Juvenile and immatures: are extremely variable in color and pattern of
plumage. The plumage of immature bald eagles is mostly brown and
they may have irregular white or buff patches. Immature birds with the patches
are sometimes referred to as pinto-colored eagles.
sources:
<1>
<2>
<3>
<4>
<5> ; Perterson's book pages:
112 113
114 115 ;
Donald S. Heintzelman's book
2. Falcon
Other related categories
1. Vultures
2. Owls
3. Nighthawks, Nightjars
More: Red-tailed Hawk
http://www.pfht.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=AmhRue8AuZE%3D&tabid=79 Reproduction: Red-tailed hawks usually begin breeding when they are three years old. They are monogamous, and mate with the same individual for many years. In fact, red-tailed hawks usually only change mates when their original mate dies. During courtship, the male and female soar together in circles, with flights lasting 10 minutes or more. Mating usually takes place following these flights. The male and female land on a perch and preen each other. The female then tilts forward, allowing the male to mount her. Copulation lasts 5 to 10 seconds. Red-tailed hawk nests are usually 28 to 38 inches in diameter. They are sometimes used for several years, and can be up to 3 feet tall. The male and female both construct the nest in a tall tree, 4 to 21 m above the ground. Where trees are scarce, they are sometimes built on cliff ledges or artificial structures such as on buildings. The nests are constructed of twigs and lined with bark, pine needles, corn cobs, husks, stalks, aspen catkins and other soft plant matter. Fresh bark, twigs, and pine needles are deposited into the nest throughout the breeding season to keep the nest clean. Owls compete with the red-tailed hawks for nest sites. Each species is known to kill the young and destroy the eggs of the other in an attempt at taking a nest site. The female lays 1 to 5 eggs around the first week of April. The eggs are laid approximately every other day and are incubated for 28 to 35 days. Both parents incubate the eggs. Males may spend less time incubating than females, but bring food to the female while she is on the nest. The young hatch over the course of 2 to 4 days, and are altricial at hatching. During the nestling stage, the female broods the young, and the male provides most of the food to the female and the chicks. The female feeds the nestlings by tearing the food into small pieces. The chicks begin to leave the nest after 42 to 46 days. The fledgling period lasts up to 10 weeks, during which the chicks learn to fly and hunt. Breeding season: Breeding occurs in the spring. Eggs per season: 1 to 5 Time to hatching: 28 to 35 days; avg. 30 days Time to fledging: 42 to 46 days Time to independence: 10 weeks (high) Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 3 years (average) Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 3 years (average)
