 
All raptors have strong, hooked beaks for tearing flesh, and strong feet and talons for grasping and holding prey. In most species, females are larger than males. Buteos are large hawks with broad, rounded wings and tails. They are adapted for flying over open areas, and are often seen soaring above fields and woods. Most large hawks spend much of their time perched on tall trees or poles. Eagles are larger than buteo hawks, with some having wingspreads up to 2.5 m (8 ft). Wide color variation in each species of hawk and eagle often makes identification difficult. Juvenile plumages often differ from those of adults.
|
The northern harrier is the only North American representative of a group of hawks
called "harriers". This hawk is similar in size to many buteos but is distinguished by
its long tail and long, narrow wings. It is often seen gliding low over the
ground.
The turkey vulture is a large raptor with long wings and a bare, unfeathered head. It is the only member of the American vulture family (Cathartidae) that occurs in Canada. While soaring, it is distinguished from the eagle by its V-shaped wing placement. |
The osprey is the only member of the fish hawk family (Pandionidae) in the world. It has long legs and talons, as well as tiny spines on the bottom of its feet for holding slippery fish. |
|
|Life Zones | | Life Style | | Food | | Relationship | | Management | |
Large Hawks & Eagles
AIberta's hawks and eagles belong to one family of raptors, or birds of prey
(family Accipitridae). Within this family, biologists recognize three groups of
species occurring in Alberta: 1) woodland hawks (accipiters), 2) heavy-bodied
hawks (buteos) and eagles, and 3) the northern harrier. The buteos, eagles
and the are presented here along with the turkey vulture
(family Cathartidae) and osprey (family Pandionidae). The woodland hawks are
presented with the falcons in Woodland Falcons & Hawks.