Spring migration is on! So, we are going back to basics, starting at ground one for IDing raptors. The first step to identifying a raptor is deciding which family group (aka raptor type) the individual belongs to. In this blog, we will not be talking about the nitty gritty of taxonomy and the genetic links […]
Raptor Vocab 101: Raptor Types Read More »
How have we been in existence for over 35 years and not written a blog on this topic? I do not know! Accipitrines (formerly grouped as accipiters before the taxonomic divisions in 2024) are famously tough to tell apart—even giving raptor experts pause. Before we dive in, we want to drive home that sometimes it
How to Tell Accipitrines Apart Read More »
How many owls have you seen in the wild? Unless you are an owl researcher, chances are the answer is relatively few. With excellent low-light vision, high-precision hearing, silent flight, and plumage that lets them virtually disappear into the environment, owls aren’t easy to find. How many owls have you heard in the wild? I’m
Sounds like a Screech-owl to Me… Read More »
In the third installment of our raptor vocab series, we talk all about terms used to age an individual. If you get mixed up by terms like first year, hatch year, and juvenile, we are here to help! Before you keep reading, we recommend you read the first two blogs in this series about anatomy and plumage—both of
Raptor Vocab 101: Aging Read More »
Welcome to the second installment in our series, teaching you how to speak the language of raptor biology. In this blog, we will focus on terms relating to plumage. These terms are not specific to raptors per se but are helpful to know when talking about identifying raptor species through their plumage. Before you continue
Raptor Vocab 101: Plumage Read More »
