Have you ever noticed how every ID issue regarding raptor Identification has caveats and pitfalls? Just when you think you have something down well, a curveball is thrown your way! The natural variation in plumage and shape for many species is immense and sometimes overwhelming for a beginner, but don’t…

What does the word “expert” mean, or what is an expert? To me, an expert (birder) understands their subject via experience and knowledge through varying approaches. An expert is aware that they do not know everything about their subject and never will. They make bird ID’s based on fact and…

This time of year is a great time to observe Osprey pairs (male and female together) as they are spending much of their time within a specific territory. However, try to observe raptors from a distance of course so as to not disrupt their nesting behavior or habits. Anyway, I…

In the bird watching, bird banding, falconry, or any bird related community there are age class terms that all people use. Some terms have a specific defintion, some are more general, and some are specific only in certain instances. The fact that some terms only have one meaning while others…

Read the latest reviews on our Raptor ID App.  Now available in the App Store and Google Play. Download yours today! Birding by American Birding Asosciation BirdWatching   New Raptor ID App Launches for Phones and Tablets App features high-quality video and photos, unlike anything on the market   February…

I have a few emails in my inbox on a singular particular issue so I thought I'd just post about it. From about March to June, many juvenile Cooper's Hawks have extremely worn and faded head feathers and start to look as if they have the facial pattern of a…

A few emails came my way about ageing Golden Eagles in flight. Since Golden Eagles are still migrating north in fair numbers (I just saw a few headed north in Utah last weekend), I wanted to re-share a tip (or a caution) on ageing them in flight. Actually, this ‘tip’…

Hawks are typically viewed from below, soaring or gliding overhead, and are often depicted in books and magazines this way. Sure, a Red-tailed Hawk is cool from below, but to see one from above with its red tail fanned out...there's just something more exciting about that. Maybe a topside view…

This blog post was written by Caitlin Davis who, together with Rya Rubenthaler (both have worked at our Goshute raptor migration site in NV the past 4 fall seasons), are the two official hawk counters for HawkWatch International's hawk migration count at Gunsight Mountain, Alaska. Up to date count totals can…

I have a few e-mails in my inbox about wing molt in raptors since many birds at starting their annual molt. I haven't responded yet, and I love the subject…so I figured I'd respond on the blog. I just want to clarify one thing about wing molt. It has always…