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What sorts of birds of prey can you discover in West Virginia?
This query is widespread, each for birders and non-birders alike. Raptors are standard animals that are inclined to catch folks’s curiosity greater than most different species. Fortunately, there are numerous totally different species in all types of habitats.
Right here is how the under record is organized. Click on the hyperlink to leap straight to that part!
HAWKS
#1. Pink-tailed Hawk
- Size: 18-26 in / 45-65 cm
- Weight: 1.5-3.5 lbs. / 700-1600 g
- Wingspan: 43-55 in / 110-140 cm
Pink-tailed Hawks are in all probability the kind of hawk that persons are most aware of. These birds of prey are sometimes seen in West Virginia on drives within the countryside, both hovering within the sky or perched on a fence submit.
The plumage coloration of Pink-tailed Hawks will be something from practically white to just about black, so coloration is just not a dependable indicator. One of the best ways to establish them is by on the lookout for their attribute crimson tail. 🙂
Pink-tailed Hawk Vary Map
These hawks are extremely adaptable, and there’s no actual description of their most popular habitats as a result of they appear to be comfy in every single place. I’ve seen Pink-tailed Hawks backpacking within the deep wilderness to city cities to my very own suburban yard! Choose a habitat, equivalent to pastures, parks, deserts, roadsides, rainforests, woodlands, fields, or scrublands, and also you’ll discover them thriving.
Pink-tailed Hawks have spectacular calls which might be simply recognized. Hear under to those intimidating sounds under.
#2. Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Size: 9-13.5 inches / 23-37 cm
- Weight: 3-8 oz / 82-220 g
- Wingspan: 16.5-26.5 inches / 42-68 cm
Sharp-shinned Hawks are one of many smallest birds of prey in West Virginia.
They’re extremely athletic and acrobatic. It’s widespread to see these raptors zipping via the woods or by your hen feeders in a blur of movement!
To establish these birds, search for bars of orange on their higher chest that fade in the direction of the stomach and blue-gray again and wings. When flying, their wings are comparatively brief and rounded however with a protracted tail. Females are significantly greater than males.
Sharp-shinned Hawk Vary Map
These raptors are widespread in forested areas in West Virginia. They’re most frequently seen round hen feeders, looking and preying on the songbirds that come to go to. These raptors are ambush predators, sitting patiently after which dashing out from cowl at excessive velocity to chase birds, which make up 90% of their eating regimen.
One method to confirm you have got seen a Sharp-shinned Hawk is to pay attention for his or her sounds. People give a high-pitched shrill “kik-kik-kik,” which is usually repeated a number of occasions.
#3. Cooper’s Hawk
- Size: 13.5-20 in / 35-50 cm
- Weight: 8-24 oz / 220-680 g
- Wingspan: 24.5-35.5 in / 62-90 cm
These giant raptors are generally present in West Virginia within the woods or on the sting of fields. Cooper’s Hawks are identified for his or her flying agility. I see them typically at my home in high-speed chases via the cover, going after their prey.
Cooper’s Hawk Vary Map
Due to their unbelievable flying skills, these hawks primarily eat songbirds and are widespread in backyards round hen feeders. At my feeding station, I’ve noticed these hawks preying on Pink-winged Blackbirds, European Starlings, and Mourning Doves.
The commonest sound a Cooper’s Hawk emits is an alarm name that feels like “kuck, kuck, kuc” or “cak-cak-cak.”
Visually, a Cooper’s Hawk seems to be extremely much like the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Their steely blue-gray look is sort of an identical to the Sharp-shinned hawk, proper all the way down to the little black cap that each put on and the rufous coloured chest.
The BEST method to inform these hawks aside is to have a look at the scale distinction. Cooper’s are bigger than Sharp-shinneds. But when they’re airborne, good luck determining which one you’re observing!
#4. Pink-shouldered Hawk
- Size: 15-19 in / 38-48 cm
- Weight: 1.1-1.9 lbs. / 500-860 g
- Wingspan: 38-42 in / 96-107 cm
Distinctly marked, Pink-shouldered Hawks have a barred rufous chest, principally white underwings, a strongly banded tail, and, in fact, crimson shoulders which might be seen when perched.
Pink-shouldered Hawks are primarily forest dwellers. Their favourite locations are woods with an open higher cover since this additional area permits them to hunt extra effectively. These raptors are additionally widespread in suburban areas the place homes have been blended into woodlands.
I see Pink-shouldered Hawks incessantly, particularly in winter, looking in my yard for squirrels.
Pink-shouldered Hawk Vary Map
Talking of meals, these hawks primarily eat small mammals however will feast on snakes, lizards, and amphibians when out there. When looking, these raptors drop onto their prey straight from overhead, making their looking model distinctive.
You possibly can see this habits under, as a Pink-shouldered Hawk tries to catch a squirrel in my yard! Don’t fear; the hawk is unsuccessful.
Pink-shouldered Hawk looking in my yard!
#5. Broad-winged Hawk
- Size: 13.5-17.5 inches / 34-44 cm
- Weight: 16 oz / 450 g
- Wingspan: 33 inches / 84 cm
The our bodies of Broad-winged Hawks are brief and stocky, which makes them completely tailored to life within the forest. These birds of prey stay in West Virginia and are pretty widespread, however they aren’t typically seen as a result of they like spending their time within the deep woods away from people.
Broad-winged Hawk Vary Map
Whereas these raptors spend their summers right here in West Virginia, they fly south for the winters to Central America and South America. Broad-winged Hawks are in all probability greatest identified for his or her epic migrations every fall.
It’s estimated that the typical hen travels over 4,000 miles (6,400 km) whole, and that’s simply ONE WAY, and so they have to finish this journey twice per 12 months.
These long-distance flyers typically journey south collectively, hovering on air currents by the hundreds! Getting the possibility to look at a “kettle” of Broad Winged Hawks is genuinely awe-inspiring, as you’ll be able to see within the video above!
#6. Tough Legged Hawk
- Size: 18.5-23.5 inches / 46-59 cm
- Weight: 25-49 oz / 715-1400 gm
- Wingspan: 52-54 inches / 132-138 cm
Tough-legged Hawks spend their summers residing and breeding on the Arctic tundra.
You possibly can solely see these giant birds of prey in West Virginia throughout the winter once they migrate south.
Not like most hawks, this species has feathers all the best way all the way down to their ft, which helps maintain them heat within the chilly environments they select to stay.
Tough-legged Hawk Vary Map
Search for these chunky, giant raptors in open areas. They’ve a singular looking model the place they hover whereas going through the wind, on the lookout for meals. In truth, they’re one of many few birds of prey that really hovers in place.
Tough-legged Hawks are usually silent, besides they make a mewing sound close to the nest. (Hear under!)
#7. Osprey
- Size: 20-25.5 inches / 50-65 cm
- Weight: 3-4.4 lb. / 1.4-2 kg
- Wingspan: 59-71 inches / 150-180 cm
The very first thing it is advisable to find out about Ospreys is they’re NOT hawks! They aren’t eagles both and, scientifically talking, have been given their very own Household (Pandionidae) and Genus (Pandion), separate from all different birds of prey.
Regardless that Ospreys are usually not hawks, they actually look much like one. These raptors have additionally been given nicknames, equivalent to Sea Hawk, River Hawk, and Fish Hawk, which trace on the affiliation between an Osprey and a hawk.
Osprey Vary Map
Once you consider an Osprey, it is best to consider fish as a result of that’s what these birds eat 99% of the time. Due to their specialised eating regimen, you’ll nearly all the time discover these birds of prey residing, breeding, and elevating their younger round water in West Virginia.
Hear for Ospreys subsequent time you’re round a big physique of water. Their alarm name is a sequence of brief, high-pitched whistles that descend in pitch. The noise has been in comparison with a teapot taken off a range.
OWLS
#8. Nice Horned Owl
- Size: 17-25 in (43 – 64 cm)
- Weight: 2.5 to 4 lbs (1134 – 1814 g)
- Wingspan: 3 – 5 ft (91-153 cm)
Nice Horned Owls are widespread birds of prey in West Virginia.
In truth, these raptors can truly be discovered nearly anyplace in North America, from the Arctic to the tropics. Its habitat is virtually limitless so long as there are timber and rocky nesting websites out there. It’s laborious to discover a hen that may adapt higher than a Nice Horned Owl.
Nice Horned Owl Vary Map
These owls are giant and look fierce! To establish them, search for their lengthy tufts of feathers that resemble ears on their head.
Additionally, try their intimidating eyes. I do know I might not need to have a staring contest with one!
Each sexes hoot, however males are lower-pitched than females. Males give territorial calls that may be heard just a few miles away at night time. I don’t assume there’s one other owl species that does hooting higher than a Nice Horned Owl!
#9. Barred Owl
- Size: 16–25 in (40–63 cm)
- Weight: 1–2.75 lbs (500–1250 g)
- Wingspan: 38–49 in (96–125 cm)
Barred Owls are a typical raptor present in West Virginia. The identify “barred” derives from the horizontal stripes of alternating mild brown and darkish brown on the wings, again, and tail.
Barred Owls are the kind of owl I’ve noticed essentially the most within the wild. They’re inquisitive and can typically keep and watch as you stroll previous them. Even when they get nervous as you method, they usually fly off to a different close by tree to proceed observing.
Barred Owl Vary Map
Barred Owls depend on mice and different small rodents however eat nearly something product of meat! They may readily seize rats, rabbits, bats, squirrels, moles, minks, weasels, opossums, quite a lot of birds, frogs, snakes, fish, and turtles, and can even hunt round your nightly campfire to catch some candy, juicy bugs.
And talking of classical noises, their hoots are the traditional sounds featured in motion pictures and scary Halloween tales. It’s straightforward to acknowledge their name because it feels like they’re asking, “Who cooks for you.” Barred Owls will pontificate throughout sunlight hours, too, and so they mate for all times.
#10. Lengthy-eared Owl
- Size: 31 and 40 cm (12 and 16 in)
- Weight: 288 g – 327 g (10.2 oz – 11.5 oz)
- Wingspan: 86 to 102 cm (34 in to 40 in)
Lengthy-eared Owls are often known as the Northern Lengthy-Eared Owl, Lesser Horned Owl, or Cat Owl due to their catlike facial options.
They’re secretive and roost in very dense foliage. Mixed with their wonderful camouflage, these birds of prey are EXTREMELY laborious to identify in West Virginia!
As you’ll be able to see, these owls get their identify from the lengthy tufts of feathers on their heads. These ear tufts resemble exclamation factors, so Lengthy-eared Owls typically look like they’ve a shocked look on their face.
Lengthy-eared Owl Vary Map
Amongst owls, these guys are distinctive by being fairly sociable. They’re identified to stay in clusters and even share roosts!
Since Lengthy-eared Owls will be extremely laborious to see, one of the best ways to find them is to pay attention! In the course of the mating season, males are fairly talkative. Their typical name is repeated anyplace from 10 to 200 occasions and feels like a low “hoo,” evenly spaced each few seconds.
#11. Japanese Screech-Owl
- Size: 6.3– 9.8 in (16–25 cm)
- Weight: 4.2–8.6 oz. (120–244 g)
- Wingspan: 18–24 in (46–61 cm)
Screech-owls could remind you {of professional} wrestlers since they’re brief, stocky, and don’t have any necks! These owls can both be gray or crimson, with a couple of third of all people being crimson.
These small raptors are present in wooded areas in West Virginia.
They don’t appear to thoughts folks an excessive amount of as they’re comfy nesting on prime of streetlamps, subsequent to busy roadways/highways, or inside areas in populated buildings.
Japanese Screech-owl Vary Map
Japanese Screech-owls make quite a lot of hoots, calls, and songs, however their hottest is an even-pitched trill, typically known as a tremolo. The tremolo is utilized by pairs to maintain involved with one another and lasts between 3 to six seconds. I feel this tremolo name sounds rather a lot like mating toads, and I generally get the 2 confused!
#12. American Barn Owl
Barn Owls (aka Church Owl, Ghost Owl, and Monkey-faced Owl) have a heart-shaped face that’s sandy-colored with a darkish brown edge. Curiously, the form of an owl’s face steers sound to their ears, which helps make them environment friendly hunters.
Their listening to is so good that they’ll find small animals underneath dense brush or snow with ease, and so they even hunt bats!
Barn Owl Vary Map
Barn Owls are non-migratory and have a tendency to inhabit deserted barns (therefore the identify). Although significantly endangered in lots of elements of their vary, farmers love them as a result of they maintain surrounding property pretty rodent-free, defending different animals from the illnesses that mice and rats carry.
They don’t “hoot” within the classical vogue of different owls. Their distinctive screechy sound is much extra harking back to a red-tailed hawk. When exhibiting off for a feminine, males generally clap their wings collectively a few occasions whereas flying.
#13. Northern Noticed-whet Owl
- Size: 6.5–9 inches (17–23 cm)
- Weight: 1.9–5.3 oz. (54–151 grams)
- Wingspan: 16.5–22.2 inches (42–56.3 cm)
This species is among the smallest raptors in West Virginia, and they’re cute as a button.
Their favourite meals are mice, voles, and shrews. However these owls will complement their eating regimen with small birds, bugs, and invertebrates when needed.
Northern Noticed-whet Owl Vary Map
Northern Noticed-whet Owls want dense coniferous or blended hardwood forests with a river close by. Due to their want for mature timber, their numbers have been declining.
These owls get their identify from the sound they make when alarmed, which resembles the whetting (sharpening) of a noticed. However their most typical name occurs throughout the breeding season. It feels like a “too-too-too” emitted at about two notes per second.
#14. Quick-eared Owl
- Size: 13–17 inches (34–43 cm)
- Weight: 7.3–16.8 oz (206–475 grams)
- Wingspan: 33.5-40.5 inches (85–103 cm)
This mid-sized tawny-brown mottled owl has false ears that aren’t all the time seen. Quick-eared Owls usually solely erect them once they need to look intimidating.
Your greatest likelihood to identify these birds of prey in West Virginia is at nightfall or daybreak in open fields, grasslands, meadows, or airports.
Quick-eared Owl Vary Map
These owls construct their nests on the bottom in open areas equivalent to meadows, tundra, savanna, or prairies.
If obliged to flee its nest to attract off a predator, the mother or father will poop on the eggs so the odor will maintain predators away. Like a Kildeer, Quick-eared Owls additionally lure predators away from their nest by hopping away and pretending to be injured.
Quick-eared Owls are usually not significantly vocal. However once they do make noises, these birds have a name, oddly sufficient, that sounds an terrible lot like a cat on the lookout for a mate.
FALCONS, EAGLES, & VULTURES
#15. Peregrine Falcon
- Size: 13-23 in / 34-58 cm
- Weight: 12-53 oz. / 330-1500 g
- Wingspan: 29-47 in / 74-120 cm
These giant birds of prey are generally present in West Virginia in city areas.
Due to their fondness for nesting on the perimeters of tall buildings, these falcons are widespread in cities the place they typically grow to be native celebrities!
Peregrine Falcon Vary Map
Peregrine Falcons have the glory of being the FASTEST animal on the planet! Don’t be fooled by tales that the cheetah is the quickest creature. Oh certain, they’ll crank it as much as 75 mph (120 kph), and that’s superb for being on the bottom.
However when a Peregrine Falcon dives, it will possibly attain speeds of as much as 200 mph (320 kph)! And it begins its journey from as excessive as 3,000 ft (915 m), so it cruises at these excessive speeds for a substantial distance.
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE THE INCREDIBLE DIVING ABILITIES OF THE PEREGRINE FALCON.
#16. American Kestrel
- Size: 9-12 inches / 22-31 cm
- Weight: 2.8-5.8 oz. / 80-165 g
- Wingspan: 20-24 inches / 51-61 cm
The American Kestrel is the smallest raptor in West Virginia and is roughly the scale of an American Robin. Don’t let the tiny stature idiot you, although, as a result of these birds of prey are completed hunters.
In truth, you’ll have heard of a kestrel’s alternate identify, which is the Sparrow Hawk. This identify was given as a result of they are going to take sparrows and different birds of that measurement proper out of the air!
American Kestrel Vary Map
One in all their favourite methods to catch prey is to hover within the breeze from a comparatively low top, on the lookout for bugs, invertebrates, small rodents, and birds. However life will be robust if you’re the smallest falcon since they’re generally eaten as prey by bigger raptors, in addition to rat snakes and corn snakes!
Kestrels have a definite name that sounds prefer it’s saying “klee-klee-klee” or “killy, killy, killy,” which is often repeated quickly. Press the PLAY button under to listen to an instance!
#17. Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle Vary Map
The explanation that Bald Eagles are discovered round water is that they principally eat fish! Search for them round marshes, lakes, coasts, and rivers. The BEST areas are forests close to giant our bodies of water that present good fishing AND tall timber for nesting websites.
Beneath, you’ll be able to hear what a Bald Eagle feels like. In the event you think about an intimidating eagle name, you then could be improper. I feel they sound extra like a gull, with trills and little whistles.
Press PLAY above to listen to a Bald Eagle!
#18. Merlin
Size: 9-13 inches / 23-33 cm
Weight: 4.4-10.6 oz. / 125-300 g
Wingspan: 21-23 inches / 53-58 cm
Merlins are small, fierce raptors present in West Virginia.
With that being mentioned, they aren’t that widespread to watch and are unpredictable in regard to their vary. They’re a bit bigger than the American Kestrel, with a stockier construct, sharply pointed wings, and medium-length tails. You possibly can all the time establish a Merlin by its speedy wingbeats and since it’s so small.
However regardless of its diminutive stature, this falcon is an extremely fierce hen and makes use of shock assaults to carry down its prey. It’s so daring that it has been seen attacking trains and vehicles that enter its territory.
The Merlin is one hen you don’t need to annoy or make nervous!
Merlin Vary Map
Whereas typically silent, it’s attainable to listen to a loud, excessive cackle that feels like “klee-klee-klee.” Sometimes, these calls are made throughout courtship or when exhibiting aggression. Press the PLAY button above to listen to an instance.
#19. Turkey Vulture
- Size: 25-32 in / 64-81 cm
- Weight: 2-5 lbs / 0.8-2.4 kg
- Wingspan: 63-72 in / 160-183 cm
The Turkey Vulture is an extremely widespread hen of prey in West Virginia.
In truth, it’s the most plentiful vulture in the complete nation. They’re comparatively straightforward to establish, as they’re all black, with a bald crimson head and a pinkish invoice. The identify derives from their unfastened resemblance to a Wild Turkey.
Turkey Vultures use their extremely developed sense of odor to find carrion. Their sense of odor is so delicate that they’ll detect useless meat from 8 miles (13 km) away. These birds want to eat recent meals, and so they attempt to get to animals as rapidly as attainable after their dying.
Turkey Vulture Vary Map
These birds are darkish, and so they take up warmth simply. To chill themselves off, they defecate on their legs to chill the blood and assist them reasonable their physique temperature. Let’s collectively say “Ewww” and transfer on!
When these raptors are frightened, they are often so filled with meat that they can not quickly fly away. On this case, you may even see them projectile vomit what they’ve eaten to drop a few pounds and escape. If they aim the predator’s face, the fabric will be blinding.
#20. Black Vulture
- Size: 22 – 29 in / 56 – 74 cm
- Weight: 3.5 – 6.5 lbs / 1.6-3 kg
- Wingspan: 51 – 66 in / 1.3 – 1.7 m
Black Vultures primarily eat carrion, however in contrast to most different vultures, they’re identified to kill animals to feed on recent meat. It isn’t unusual for them to prey on residing skunks, opossums, and livestock, equivalent to child pigs, calves, and lambs.
Black Vultures are monogamous and can stick with their mate for a few years. The loyal pair are wonderful dad and mom and can defend their nest, eggs, and younger vigorously. Curiously, these vultures construct their nests on the bottom in stumps, caves, thickets, brush piles, or hole timber. No nesting materials is used both!
Black Vulture Vary Map
Search for Black Vultures in West Virginia in each forested and open areas. They like to roost and nest in dense forests however forage for meals alongside roads, fields, and different open areas. Black Vultures are generally seen hanging round Turkey Vultures, and it’s not as a result of they’re greatest associates.
Between the 2 species, Turkey Vultures have a MUCH higher sense of odor. Black Vultures use this reality to their benefit and comply with Turkey Vultures to a carcass. Usually, the extra aggressive Black Vultures will thrust back their vulture cousins to have the meals all to themselves. I’m wondering if Turkey Vultures ever really feel used? 🙂
Do you want assist figuring out raptors in West Virginia?
Listed below are just a few books and sources you should buy that may help!
To be taught extra about different birds in West Virginia, try these guides!
Which of those birds of prey have you ever seen earlier than in West Virginia?
Go away a remark under!
A few of the vary maps above had been generously shared with permission from The Birds of The World, printed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I exploit their website OFTEN to be taught new details about birds!
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