Caracara is a genus of birds of prey in the family Falconidae found throughout a large part of the Americas. They are part of a group collectively referred to as caracaras. The modern species in the genus Caracara were previously considered conspecific (as “crested caracara”, a name still widely used for the northern caracara) and were originally placed within the genus Polyborus. Two of the modern species are extinct, one was deliberately made extinct by humans about 100 years ago (to the detriment of its island home). Several prehistoric taxa are also known. The fossil record proves the long history […]

As its other common names suggest, the osprey’s diet consists almost exclusively of fish. It possesses specialized physical characteristics and exhibits unique behaviour to assist in hunting and catching prey. As a result of these unique characteristics, it has been given its own taxonomic genus, Pandion and family, Pandionidae. Four subspecies are usually recognized, one of which has recently been given full species status (see below). Despite its propensity to nest near water, the osprey is not classed as a sea eagle. Source: Wikipedia  

Merlin is small but fierce falcon that use surprise attack to bring down songbirds and shorebirds. Merlin used to be called pigeon hawk because in flight it somewhat looks like a pigeon.  It’s life span is about 12 years. A pair of Merlin has been a regular visitor at Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont, California for several years.  The pair has developed a pattern by establishing their favorite dining spots that had attracted Bay Area birders and photographers alike to see them eating song sparrows as their favorite catch. When food becomes scarce the pair would settle for dragon flies.

The Northern Harrier aka the Marsh Hawk flies low by gliding over a marsh or grassland when hunting. It has an owlish face that helps it to hear mice and voles beneath the vegetation. All Northern Harriers have a white rump that it’s visible when they fly. A male Northern Harrier aka the Grey Ghost is known to have an average of 3 female mates at any one time. Some even have up to 5. And as the sole food provider for its mates and offspring, the dude stays VERY busy. Imagine if he has 3 active nesting and each […]

The white-tailed kite performs the food exchange courtship ritual at the beginning of their nesting season. The male brings back a fresh catch, calls out to the female that approaches and garb the catch in mid-air.  This act continues with the chicks catching the food in mid-air as part of their training before they fledged.

The American kestrel (Falco sparverius), sometimes colloquially known as the sparrow hawk, is a small falcon. It is the most common falcon in North America, in fact, the only kestrel found in the Americas.  It hovers against the wind like the White-tailed Kite when hunting. Despite being fierce and bird of prey, the American Kestrels end up as prey for for larger birds such as Red-tailed Hawks, Barn Owls, and other hawks.  

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the peregrine, and historically as the duck hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is a very fast flyer averaging 25-34mph in traveling flight and reaching 69mph in direct pursuit of prey.  It may reach speeds of 200mph as it drops toward its prey.